A patient with abdominal pain had a stool culture revealing non-lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative rods that produced gas in a nutrient broth. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Proteus vulgaris. This is because Proteus species are non-lactose-fermenting Gram-negative rods that are known to produce gas in nutrient broths. Proteus vulgaris is commonly associated with urinary tract infections and can also cause abdominal infections. A: Salmonella typhi typically causes typhoid fever and is not known to produce gas in nutrient broths. B: Shigella dysenteriae is a causative agent of dysentery and does not typically produce gas in nutrient broths. C: Escherichia coli is a lactose-fermenting bacterium and does not fit the description of the organism in the stool culture.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is B. Viruses of the family Paramyxoviridae cause the formation of giant multinucleated cells called syncytia. This occurs when infected cells fuse together, resulting in large, multinucleated structures. This is a characteristic cytopathic effect of paramyxoviruses. Summary: A: Fine grained degeneration is not typically seen in paramyxovirus infections. C: Large cell degeneration with grape clustering of cells is not a typical cytopathic effect of paramyxoviruses. D: Paramyxoviruses do provoke a cytopathic effect, so this statement is incorrect.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: peroxisomes. Peroxisomes contain oxidative enzymes, such as catalase and peroxidase, that are capable of oxidizing toxic substances. These enzymes help detoxify harmful molecules by breaking them down into harmless products. Lysosomes (choices B and C) contain hydrolytic enzymes for breaking down cellular waste, not oxidative enzymes. Therefore, the correct choice is peroxisomes due to their specific function in detoxification through oxidation reactions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Gram-positive diplococci suggest a pneumococcal infection. Step 2: Catalase-negative indicates Streptococcus. Step 3: Alpha-hemolysis matches S. pneumoniae's characteristics. Therefore, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most likely causative agent. Staphylococcus aureus (B) is catalase-positive, Neisseria meningitidis (C) is Gram-negative, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (D) is not diplococci or alpha-hemolytic.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Trichomonal gingivostomatitis is caused by the parasite Trichomonas tenax. Step 2: Metronidazole is the drug of choice for treating infections caused by anaerobic organisms like Trichomonas. Step 3: Metronidazole effectively targets and eliminates Trichomonas parasites in the oral cavity. Step 4: Therefore, the correct drug choice for treating trichomonal gingivostomatitis is Metronidazole. Summary: - Ampicillin (B) is an antibiotic effective against Gram-positive bacteria, not parasites. - Gentamicin sulfate (C) is an antibiotic used for bacterial infections, not parasitic infections. - Nystatin (D) is an antifungal medication used for treating fungal infections, not parasitic infections like trichomonal gingivostomatitis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. Hepatitis B infection can present with jaundice due to liver inflammation, elevated serum aminotransferase levels due to liver damage, and sometimes no symptoms in the acute phase. This comprehensive presentation covers the spectrum of possible clinical manifestations of hepatitis B infection. Choices A and B are correct as they are common manifestations of hepatitis B infection. Choice C is incorrect as hepatitis B infection can indeed present with symptoms, making option D the most appropriate choice.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to the extent and rate at which a drug reaches its site of action in the body. This includes factors such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Rationale: 1. Bioactivity refers to the pharmacological effect of a drug, not how effectively it reaches its site of action. 2. Bioremediation is the process of using organisms to remove or neutralize pollutants, not related to drug delivery. 3. Biostasis refers to a state of equilibrium or balance in living organisms, not related to drug transport to its site of action. In summary, bioavailability is the most appropriate term as it specifically addresses the process of a drug reaching its intended target within the body, distinguishing it from the other choices.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is known for causing Lyme disease, which is transmitted through tick bites. Borrelia burgdorferi is specifically associated with Lyme disease due to its ability to infect and spread within the body, leading to a range of symptoms if left untreated. Summary of incorrect choices: B: Clostridium difficile - Known for causing gastrointestinal infections, not Lyme disease. C: Streptococcus pneumoniae - Commonly causes pneumonia and other respiratory infections, not Lyme disease. D: Mycobacterium tuberculosis - Causes tuberculosis, a respiratory disease, not Lyme disease.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Klebsiella pneumoniae. This bacterium is commonly associated with pneumonia in elderly patients. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium that frequently causes pneumonia in individuals with underlying health conditions. It is known for its ability to produce a distinctive mucoid capsule. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (B) is more commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Escherichia coli (C) is a common cause of urinary tract infections but is less likely in this case due to the symptoms and sputum sample results. Haemophilus influenzae (D) is another common respiratory pathogen, but in this scenario, Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most likely causative agent based on the patient's age, symptoms, and the characteristics of the bacteria described in the sputum sample.