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: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Salmonella typhi causes typhoid fever, which can lead to intestinal infections. 2. Shigella flexneri causes dysentery, primarily affecting the colon. 3. Helicobacter pylori causes stomach ulcers, not intestine infections. Summary: A is correct as Salmonella typhi causes intestine infection. B and C are incorrect as they cause different gastrointestinal issues. D is incorrect as A is a valid choice.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because cultural characteristics of bacteria refer to their growth patterns on different culture media, including liquid and solid agars. Bacteria exhibit unique growth patterns that can be observed and studied on these media. Choice A is incorrect as it refers to isolation techniques, not cultural characteristics. Choice B is incorrect as it describes metabolic activities, not cultural characteristics. Choice D is incorrect as it dismisses the essential aspect of bacterial growth on culture media.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: IgG. IgG is the only antibody that can cross the placenta due to its small size and unique structure, allowing it to provide passive immunity to the fetus. IgA is mainly found in mucosal secretions, IgM is too large to cross the placental barrier, and IgD plays a role in B cell activation but is not involved in placental transfer.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: endemic. Endemic refers to a disease that is consistently present in a particular population or region at a relatively stable level. This means the disease is always present in that specific area. Pandemic (A) refers to a disease that spreads across multiple countries or continents. Epidemic (B) refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population. Sporadic (C) refers to occasional cases of a disease occurring irregularly in a population. Therefore, the correct choice is D as it specifically describes a disease that is generally present in a given population.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gram's staining method. The rationale for this is as follows: Gentian violet and Lugol's solution are used as primary and mordant stains in the Gram's staining method. Spiritus 960 is used as a decolorizer, and water fuchsin is used as a counterstain. This staining method is commonly used in microbiology to differentiate bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on their cell wall characteristics. A: Leffler's staining method is used for the identification of diphtheria bacilli. C: Ziehl-Neelsen's staining method is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. D: Neisser's staining method is used for the identification of Neisseria species. In summary, the use of specific reactives and stainers in the question indicates the application of the Gram's staining method for bacterial differentiation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The Ziehl-Neelsen stain is specific for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bright red bacilli seen in the smear indicate the presence of acid-fast organisms, which is characteristic of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium tetani, and Escherichia coli are not acid-fast bacteria and would not be stained red using the Ziehl-Neelsen method. Therefore, the correct answer is A: Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Reaction haemagglutination inhibition. This method is used to detect antibodies against influenza viruses by measuring the ability of the patient's serum to inhibit haemagglutination. This is a specific and sensitive technique for detecting influenza antibodies. A: Agglutination reaction is not specific for influenza viruses and may give false positives. B: Precipitation reaction in agar gel is not typically used for detecting influenza antibodies. D: Ration haemagglutination is not a standard method for detecting influenza antibodies.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus belongs to the family Arenaviridae. This virus is a well-known member of the Arenaviridae family and is associated with various diseases. Option A is incorrect as Arenaviruses can be isolated from clinical materials using suitable methods. Option B is incorrect because Arenaviruses replicate in the cytoplasm, not the nucleus. Option D is incorrect as Arenaviruses can infect various hosts, not just humans. Therefore, the statement that lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus belongs to the family Arenaviridae is true.