A patient with severe abdominal pain and diarrhea had a stool sample cultured. The bacteria were Gram-negative rods that did not ferment lactose. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Salmonella enterica. This is because Salmonella are Gram-negative rods that do not ferment lactose, which fits the description in the question. Additionally, Salmonella is a common cause of severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. Shigella dysenteriae is a Gram-negative rod that also causes severe diarrhea but it does not share the characteristic of not fermenting lactose. Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative rod that does ferment lactose. Proteus vulgaris is also a Gram-negative rod but it is not commonly associated with severe abdominal pain and diarrhea, making it an unlikely causative agent in this scenario.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Thick peptidoglycan layer. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall, which retains the crystal violet stain during Gram staining. This thick layer is a key characteristic feature that helps differentiate Gram-positive bacteria from Gram-negative bacteria. Rationale: 1. Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet stain due to their thick peptidoglycan layer. 2. This thick layer provides structural support and protection to the cell. 3. Gram-positive bacteria lack an outer membrane, which is a feature of Gram-negative bacteria (Choice A). 4. Thin peptidoglycan layer is a characteristic of Gram-negative bacteria, not Gram-positive (Choice B). 5. Presence of LPS (lipopolysaccharide) is a feature of Gram-negative bacteria, not Gram-positive (Choice D). In summary, the presence of a thick peptidoglycan layer is a characteristic feature of Gram-positive

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Anatoxin. An anatoxin is a toxin that has been rendered harmless while retaining its ability to stimulate an immune response. Gas gangrene is caused by the toxins produced by Clostridium perfringens, not the bacteria itself. Therefore, vaccination with an anatoxin can trigger the immune system to produce antibodies against the toxin, providing immunity against the disease. A: Killed whole cell vaccine - Gas gangrene is caused by toxins, not the whole bacterium. This type of vaccine may not be effective in preventing the disease. C: There is no specific prevention by vaccination - This is incorrect, as vaccination with an anatoxin can prevent gas gangrene. D: Alive attenuated vaccine - Attenuated vaccines contain live, weakened forms of the pathogen. However, for gas gangrene prevention, targeting the specific toxin with an anatoxin vaccine is more appropriate.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: psychrophiles. Psychrophiles are bacteria that can grow at low temperatures, typically below 20°C. This is because they have adapted to survive and thrive in cold environments. Mesophiles (A) grow best at moderate temperatures, thermophiles (B) thrive in high temperatures, and halophiles (D) prefer high salt concentrations. Psychrophiles are specifically adapted to cold temperatures, making them the correct choice in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus epidermidis. The presence of Gram-positive cocci in clusters, along with being catalase-positive and coagulase-negative, is indicative of Staphylococcus species. Staphylococcus epidermidis is commonly found on the skin, making it likely to cause wound infections. Summary: B: Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and coagulase-positive. C: Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative. D: Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because retroviruses, including those in the Family Retroviridae, have a capsid consisting of two copies of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA). This is a defining characteristic of retroviruses, which use reverse transcriptase to convert their ssRNA into DNA. This DNA is then integrated into the host cell's genome. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because Family Retroviridae viruses are not helical non-enveloped viruses (C), they are not helical enveloped viruses (A), and they do not have a complex type of symmetry (D).

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lipopolysaccharides. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are major components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and are known to have endotoxic activity. LPS can trigger a strong immune response leading to inflammation and septic shock. Choice B, Lipoproteins of Braun, are not known to have endotoxic activity. Choice C, Protein A, is a surface protein found in Staphylococcus aureus and is not associated with endotoxic activity. Choice D, None, is incorrect as LPS is indeed a bacterial structure with endotoxic activity.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all three choices, Clostridium botulinum, Morbillivirus morbillorum, and Clostridium tetani, can cause infections of the CNS. Clostridium botulinum can lead to botulism, affecting the nervous system. Morbillivirus morbillorum can cause measles, which can lead to encephalitis. Clostridium tetani can cause tetanus, affecting the central nervous system. Therefore, all three choices can cause infections of the CNS. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect individually because each pathogen can cause CNS infections.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Candida albicans. Candida albicans is a common fungal organism that causes diaper rash in infants due to its ability to thrive in warm, moist environments. It can overgrow in the diaper area, leading to irritation and inflammation. Sporothrix schenckii (A) is a fungus that causes skin infections, but not typically diaper rash. Actinomyces (B) is a bacterium that is not commonly associated with diaper rash. Malassezia furfur (D) is a yeast that causes conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, but not diaper rash in infants.