A patient with fever and diarrhea had a stool sample that revealed Gram-negative rods that fermented lactose. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Escherichia coli. E. coli is a Gram-negative rod that ferments lactose. It is a common cause of gastroenteritis presenting with fever and diarrhea. Salmonella typhi does not ferment lactose and causes typhoid fever. Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery and does not ferment lactose. Proteus vulgaris does not typically cause gastroenteritis and is not known for lactose fermentation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Rifampicin. Rifampicin is a first-line antibiotic for treating pulmonary tuberculosis due to its high efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It works by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis. Furasolidone (A) is not commonly used for tuberculosis, Bactrim (B) is not a first-line drug for tuberculosis, and Streptocide (C) is not as effective as Rifampicin.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hantavirus. Hantavirus is considered a newly emerging disease because it was first identified in the late 20th century. It is transmitted to humans through rodents and can lead to severe respiratory illness. Malaria, Tuberculosis, and Chlamydia are not considered newly emerging diseases as they have been known for centuries and continue to be prevalent worldwide. Therefore, based on the timeline of discovery and emergence, Hantavirus is the most recent infectious disease among the options provided.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: Escherichia coli is known to produce a toxin called colibactin that targets cholesterol. Step 2: Colibactin disrupts cholesterol metabolism in host cells. Step 3: This disruption can lead to various health issues. Step 4: Streptococcus pyogenes produces different toxins, not specifically targeting cholesterol. Step 5: Corynebacterium diphtheriae produces diphtheria toxin, not targeting cholesterol. Step 6: Aeromonas hydrophila produces various toxins, but not known for targeting cholesterol. Summary: Escherichia coli produces toxins that specifically target cholesterol, making it the correct choice over the other options.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Nucleoid. The bacterial genome is located in the nucleoid, a region within the bacterial cell where the genetic material is condensed and organized. This structure is not the same as a nucleus found in eukaryotic cells. The other choices (B: Nucleotide and C: ATP) are incorrect because nucleotide refers to a building block of DNA or RNA, and ATP is a molecule used for energy transfer in cells, neither of which specifically houses the bacterial genome. Choice D: None of the above is incorrect as well, as the correct term for the compact structure containing the bacterial genome is the nucleoid.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Leptospira. The key features pointing to Leptospira are the presence of convoluted bacteria resembling C and S letters, which is characteristic of Leptospira species. Leptospirosis presents with fever, jaundice, haemorrhagic rash, and acute renal insufficiency. The other choices (B: Treponema, C: Spirilla, D: Borrelia) do not match the histological description or the clinical presentation of the case. Treponema is associated with syphilis, Spirilla with genus Spirochaeta, and Borrelia with Lyme disease, none of which match the given scenario.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Azotobacter species. Azotobacter are known for their ability to fix nitrogen through the process of nitrogen fixation, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. Bacillus cereus is not known for nitrogen fixation. Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that causes botulism and does not fix nitrogen. Escherichia coli is a common gut bacterium but does not have the ability to fix nitrogen. Thus, Azotobacter species is the correct choice based on its unique ability to fix nitrogen.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: plasma coagulase. This enzyme is essential for the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus as it can convert fibrinogen to fibrin, forming a protective barrier around the bacteria. This helps the bacteria evade the host's immune system. Beta lactamase (A) is not directly related to pathogenicity but rather resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Catalase (C) is produced by many bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, but it is not a specific indicator of pathogenicity. Choice D is incorrect as plasma coagulase is indeed an important criterion for the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clostridium perfringens. In this case, the patient's presentation of infected wound with tissue crepitation, foul odor, and Gram-positive bacteria with centrally located spores that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen is indicative of gas gangrene caused by Clostridium perfringens. This anaerobic bacterium produces various toxins that lead to tissue destruction and gas production in the affected area. Clostridium tetani (choice A) causes tetanus, characterized by muscle stiffness and spasms. Clostridium botulinum (choice C) causes botulism, leading to muscle paralysis. Clostridium difficile (choice D) is associated with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These choices are incorrect as they do not match the clinical presentation described in the question.