A patient with chronic diarrhea had stool microscopy revealing flagellated protozoa with two nuclei. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Giardia lamblia. Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan with two nuclei found in the stool. It commonly causes chronic diarrhea. The other choices are incorrect because B: Entamoeba histolytica causes dysentery, not chronic diarrhea; C: Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted infection, not typically found in stool; D: Balantidium coli is a ciliated protozoan, not flagellated.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Actinomycosis. This is supported by the presence of purulent foci with druses consisting of short rod-like elements attached to a homogenous center, which is characteristic of Actinomyces species. Actinomycosis commonly presents with granulation tissue and connective tissue formation. B: Tuberculosis does not typically present with druses containing short rod-like elements. C: Syphilis does not typically present with purulent foci or druses. D: Candidosis does not typically present with the described features of purulent fluxing and druses with short rod-like elements.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Passive hemagglutination. In this test, red blood cells coated with Treponema antigens agglutinate in the presence of patient's serum antibodies. This indicates the presence of antibodies against Treponema, confirming the diagnosis. A: Immobilization test uses live Treponema to detect specific antibodies, but it is not commonly used for syphilis diagnosis. C: Precipitation test is not commonly used for syphilis diagnosis. D: Complement binding test is not specific for syphilis and is used more for autoimmune diseases. Therefore, passive hemagglutination is the most appropriate serological test in this case due to its specificity and relevance to the presentation of the patient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: nematode. Trichinosis is caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis, a type of nematode. Nematodes are multicellular parasites commonly found in raw or undercooked meat. Viruses, bacteria, and fungi do not cause trichinosis. Viruses are not parasitic worms, bacteria are single-celled organisms, and fungi are eukaryotic organisms distinct from nematodes. Therefore, the ingestion of nematodes, not viruses, bacteria, or fungi, leads to trichinosis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lice. Lice, specifically body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), are known carriers of the pathogen Rickettsia prowazekii, which causes epidemic typhus. Body lice are commonly found in unsanitary conditions and can transmit the bacteria through their bites. Spiders (choice B), bed-bugs (choice C), and cockroaches (choice D) are not known vectors of epidemic typhus. Spiders are predators that do not transmit diseases to humans, while bed-bugs and cockroaches are associated with other health issues but not epidemic typhus transmission.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because sanitary control is crucial for monitoring the quality of a wide range of essential services to ensure public health and safety. Food safety, drinking water quality, cleanliness in restaurants, hygiene in healthcare settings, and transportation systems all fall under the purview of sanitary control. Therefore, option A is the most comprehensive and accurate choice. Option B is incorrect because it does not include monitoring restaurants, health care services, and transport, which are important aspects of sanitary control. Option C is incorrect as it excludes transportation, an essential area that requires sanitary monitoring. Option D is incorrect as it does not cover health care services, which are critical for ensuring public health and safety.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis is the causative agent of plague, characterized by fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and bacteremia. The bipolar-staining, Gram-negative rods seen on Gram stain are typical of Y. pestis. Incorrect choices: B: Francisella tularensis causes tularemia, not plague. C: Brucella abortus causes brucellosis, not plague. D: Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, not plague. In summary, the key features of the patient's presentation and the Gram stain findings align with Yersinia pestis as the correct causative agent of plague.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: protozoans. Protozoans are eukaryotic organisms that possess both a macronucleus, responsible for general cell functions, and a micronucleus, involved in genetic processes like reproduction. Algae (choice A) typically have a single nucleus, fungi (choice B) lack distinct macronucleus and micronucleus structures, and slime molds (choice D) do not have the same nucleus organization as protozoans. Thus, protozoans are the only group among the choices that exhibit the specific characteristics of having both a macronucleus and a micronucleus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because bacteria synthesize enzymes with various nature and action. This is true because bacteria can produce a wide range of enzymes to carry out different functions such as metabolism, cell wall synthesis, and nutrient acquisition. Option A is incorrect because bacteria do not synthesize identical enzyme sets due to their diverse functions. Option C is incorrect as bacteria and viruses have distinct enzyme profiles. Option D is incorrect as viruses typically have a narrower range of enzymes compared to bacteria. Therefore, the variability in enzyme types and actions produced by bacteria supports the correctness of option B.