A patient with pneumonia had sputum stained with Gram's method, revealing purple-stained diplococci with pointed ends. What is the likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium appears as purple-stained diplococci with pointed ends on Gram staining. S. pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia. It is encapsulated and has a lancet-shaped appearance, which is characteristic of the pointed ends seen in the staining. Staphylococcus aureus (B) typically appears as clusters of gram-positive cocci, not diplococci. Klebsiella pneumoniae (C) is a gram-negative rod, not a diplococci. Neisseria meningitidis (D) is a gram-negative diplococci but typically lacks the pointed ends seen in the staining of S. pneumoniae.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Escherichia coli. E.coli is the most common urinary tract pathogen due to its ability to adhere to and infect the urinary tract epithelium. It accounts for approximately 80-85% of urinary tract infections. It possesses specific virulence factors that enable it to colonize and cause infection in the urinary tract. Proteus mirabilis (A) is known for causing complicated UTIs, but it is less common than E.coli. Staphylococcus aureus (B) is not a common urinary pathogen. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (D) is more commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections, rather than community-acquired urinary tract infections.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, All of these. Orthopoxvirus genus includes Vaccinia, Smallpox, and Cowpox viruses. They share similar characteristics such as brick-shaped virions and double-stranded DNA genomes. Vaccinia virus is used in smallpox vaccine, Smallpox virus caused the eradicated disease, and Cowpox virus can infect both animals and humans. Therefore, all three viruses belong to the Orthopoxvirus genus. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they each represent a different virus from the genus Orthopoxvirus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Absence of a cell wall. L-form transformation is a phenomenon where the pathogen loses its cell wall, making it resistant to antibiotics like penicillin. The absence of a cell wall allows the pathogen to survive in a hostile environment. Choice B: Absence of flagella is incorrect because flagella are responsible for motility and not directly related to L-form transformation. Choice C: Absence of a capsule is incorrect as the capsule is a protective layer outside the cell wall and not affected by L-form transformation. Choice D: Absence of a spore is incorrect because spores are a dormant form of bacteria and not related to L-form transformation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because Koch's postulate states that a microorganism must be isolated in pure culture, grown in a laboratory setting, and then inoculated into animals to reproduce the same disease seen in the original host. This step demonstrates a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the isolated microorganism and the disease. Choice A is incorrect because not all cases of a disease may have the same microorganism present. Choice B is incorrect as isolating the microorganism alone does not prove its pathogenicity. Choice D is incorrect as it does not address the need for experimental reproduction of the disease in a new host.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: infants. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is most common in infants because their immune systems are not fully developed, making them more susceptible to Staphylococcus aureus infections. This bacteria produces exotoxins that cause the skin to blister and peel, characteristic of the syndrome. Adolescents, young adults, and the elderly have more mature immune systems, making them less vulnerable to this specific infection. Therefore, infants are at a higher risk for developing Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome compared to other age groups.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium is the likely causative agent of the patient's symptoms based on the presentation of dysuria and purulent discharge, which are classic signs of gonorrhea. Gram-negative diplococci are characteristic of Neisseria species. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a sexually transmitted pathogen commonly associated with urethral infections. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis are not typically associated with urethral discharge and are not Gram-negative diplococci.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because a supercapsid is a lipoprotein membrane that encloses the nucleocapsid, providing protection to the genetic material inside. This structure is distinct from the capsid which is the protein coat surrounding the nucleic acid. Choice A is incorrect as there is no shell located between the capsid and supercapsid. Choice C is incorrect as it describes the nucleocapsid itself, not the supercapsid. Choice D is incorrect as a protein envelope around the nucleic acid does not specifically refer to a supercapsid.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Carry genes for antibiotic resistance. Bacterial plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that can be transferred between bacteria, carrying genes such as antibiotic resistance. This allows bacteria to survive in the presence of antibiotics. Plasmids do not directly play a role in protein synthesis (choice A) or DNA replication (choice B). Plasmids are not responsible for motility (choice D) as that function is usually carried out by flagella or other cellular structures.