A patient with acute food poisoning had fecal cultures grown on Endo agar, resulting in colorless colonies. What microorganism is most likely responsible?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Endo agar is a selective and differential media commonly used to isolate gram-negative bacteria. Step 2: Colorless colonies on Endo agar indicate the absence of lactose fermentation. Step 3: Salmonella is a gram-negative bacterium that does not ferment lactose, leading to colorless colonies on Endo agar. Step 4: Therefore, the correct answer is A: Salmonella. Summary: B: Escherichia coli ferments lactose, producing pink colonies on Endo agar. C: Staphylococcus is a gram-positive bacterium and would not grow on Endo agar. D: Shigella is a gram-negative bacterium but ferments lactose, resulting in pink colonies on Endo agar.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: C. botulinum. The description of gram-positive bacilli with subterminal staining defect and tennis racket appearance is characteristic of Clostridium botulinum. The subterminal staining defect indicates the presence of spores, a feature of Clostridium species. The tennis racket appearance refers to the characteristic shape of C. botulinum spores. Choice B, P. vulgaris, is a gram-negative bacterium and doesn't match the description. Choice C, E. coli, is a gram-negative bacillus and doesn't exhibit the subterminal staining defect described. Choice D, S. aureus, is a gram-positive cocci and does not resemble the tennis racket appearance described.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lassa virus. The rationale is as follows: 1. Lassa virus is a member of the Arenaviridae family, known for causing Lassa fever. 2. Arenaviridae family includes viruses with a segmented genome and are transmitted through rodents. 3. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (Choice B) belongs to the Bunyaviridae family, not Arenaviridae. 4. Rabies virus (Choice C) belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family, not Arenaviridae. 5. Epstein-Barr virus (Choice D) belongs to the Herpesviridae family, not Arenaviridae. In summary, Lassa virus is the correct choice as it aligns with the characteristics of the Arenaviridae family, while the other choices belong to different virus families.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: all of them. Malignant disease weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections. Cytostatic therapy suppresses the immune system, increasing the risk of infections. Premature birth can lead to underdeveloped immune systems, making babies more prone to infections. Therefore, all three choices are risk factors for the development of infections. Other choices are incorrect because each individual risk factor listed contributes to an increased susceptibility to infections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Actinomycosis. This is a chronic bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces species. In this case, the description of dense yellow-green colored focus, white granules in purulent masses, and presence of fungal druses, plasma cells, xanthome cells, and macrophages all match the characteristics of actinomycosis. Actinomycosis typically presents with abscess formation containing sulfur granules, which are yellowish and granular. The other choices (B: Furuncle, C: Carbuncle, D: Syphilis) do not fit the clinical and histological features described in the question, making them incorrect options.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Acyclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat herpes infections, not influenza. Tamiflu, Amantadine, and Relenza are all antiviral drugs commonly used to treat influenza. Acyclovir works by inhibiting the replication of herpes viruses, so it is not effective against the influenza virus. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Insect. A vehicle transmission refers to the mode by which a disease spreads from one host to another. Insects can transmit diseases, making them a vehicle for transmission. Airborne, foodborne, and bodily fluid transmissions are well-known modes of disease spread, while insects are also known vectors for diseases like malaria and Zika.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Shigella dysenteriae. Shigella causes dysentery, characterized by bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. Shigella is a non-lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative rod. B: Salmonella typhi causes typhoid fever, not typically associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea. C: Escherichia coli, a common gut bacteria, can cause diarrhea but typically ferments lactose. D: Proteus vulgaris is not a common cause of gastrointestinal infection and is not typically associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: bioremediation. Bioremediation is the process of using living organisms to clean up environmental pollution, including industrial wastes. This method utilizes microorganisms, plants, or fungi to break down or neutralize pollutants. Biomining (A) is the process of extracting valuable metals from ores using biological organisms. Biosynthesis (B) refers to the production of complex molecules by living organisms. Bioengineering (D) involves the application of engineering principles to biological systems, not specifically related to cleaning up industrial wastes. Therefore, the most appropriate term for the cleanup of industrial wastes by living organisms is bioremediation.