A patient with fever, chills, and neck stiffness had a cerebrospinal fluid sample with Gram-negative diplococci. What is the likely diagnosis?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The likely diagnosis is Meningococcal meningitis (Choice A) due to the presence of Gram-negative diplococci in the cerebrospinal fluid. Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative diplococcus commonly associated with meningococcal meningitis. Fever, chills, and neck stiffness are classic symptoms of bacterial meningitis, and Neisseria meningitidis often presents with these symptoms. Pneumococcal meningitis (Choice B) is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive organism. Haemophilus influenzae (Choice C) is also a Gram-negative organism but typically presents with a different clinical picture. Listeria monocytogenes (Choice D) is a Gram-positive rod and is more commonly associated with meningitis in neonates, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: biofilms. Biofilms are structured communities of microorganisms that adhere to a surface and are embedded in a matrix. This is the most appropriate term as it specifically describes the organization of various species into complex communities on a surface. Colonies (A) refer to groups of cells of the same species, not necessarily multiple species. Ecosystems (C) are broader systems involving interactions between living organisms and their environment. Plagues (D) are outbreaks of disease, not a term used to describe organized microbial communities.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Proteus vulgaris. Non-lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative rods that produce gas in a nutrient broth are characteristic of Proteus species. Proteus vulgaris is known for its swarming motility and ability to produce hydrogen sulfide gas. Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae are Enterobacteriaceae that do not produce gas in a nutrient broth. Escherichia coli is a lactose-fermenting bacterium and would not be expected to produce gas in a nutrient broth.

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: Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium causes food poisoning by producing enterotoxins that lead to symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Staphylococcus aureus can survive in various food items and multiply rapidly, producing toxins that are heat-stable. Clostridium botulinum causes botulism due to neurotoxins, not enterotoxins. Salmonella enterica causes gastrointestinal infections, not primarily food poisoning. Vibrio cholerae causes cholera by producing a toxin that leads to severe watery diarrhea and dehydration, not enterotoxins like Staphylococcus aureus.