A patient with suspicion on epidemic typhus was admitted to the hospital. Some arachnids and insects have been found in his flat. Which of them may be a carrier of the pathogen of epidemic typhus?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lice. Lice, specifically body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), are known carriers of the pathogen Rickettsia prowazekii, which causes epidemic typhus. Body lice are commonly found in unsanitary conditions and can transmit the bacteria through their bites. Spiders (choice B), bed-bugs (choice C), and cockroaches (choice D) are not known vectors of epidemic typhus. Spiders are predators that do not transmit diseases to humans, while bed-bugs and cockroaches are associated with other health issues but not epidemic typhus transmission.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Gin's stain method. Gin's stain method is specifically used to detect capsules of bacteria. This method involves staining the bacteria with crystal violet and copper sulfate, which highlights the capsules as a clear halo around the stained bacterial cells. Ziehl-Neelsen's stain is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Neisser's stain is for detecting Neisseria species, and Gram's stain is for differentiating bacteria based on their cell wall composition (Gram-positive vs. Gram-negative). Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect for this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because a soft chancre is a type of sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi. It presents as a painless ulcer on the genitals. The other choices are incorrect. B is incorrect because STIs can enter the body through various routes, not only the urogenital tract mucosa. C is incorrect because immunity to syphilis is not lifelong; reinfection is possible. D is incorrect because STIs can occur in any country regardless of social status or hygiene levels.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Passive hemagglutination. In this test, red blood cells coated with Treponema antigens agglutinate in the presence of patient's serum antibodies. This indicates the presence of antibodies against Treponema, confirming the diagnosis. A: Immobilization test uses live Treponema to detect specific antibodies, but it is not commonly used for syphilis diagnosis. C: Precipitation test is not commonly used for syphilis diagnosis. D: Complement binding test is not specific for syphilis and is used more for autoimmune diseases. Therefore, passive hemagglutination is the most appropriate serological test in this case due to its specificity and relevance to the presentation of the patient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Actinomycosis. This is supported by the presence of purulent foci with druses consisting of short rod-like elements attached to a homogenous center, which is characteristic of Actinomyces species. Actinomycosis commonly presents with granulation tissue and connective tissue formation. B: Tuberculosis does not typically present with druses containing short rod-like elements. C: Syphilis does not typically present with purulent foci or druses. D: Candidosis does not typically present with the described features of purulent fluxing and druses with short rod-like elements.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. 1. Escherichia coli can produce endotoxin due to its lipopolysaccharide component. 2. Salmonella enterica also produces endotoxin as part of its cell wall structure. 3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to produce endotoxin as well. Therefore, all of these bacteria are capable of producing endotoxin, which can trigger an excessive immune response leading to septic shock. Other choices are incorrect because they do not cover all the bacteria mentioned in the question that are capable of producing endotoxin.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Genus Shigella. Shigella is known to be the causative agent of bacterial dysentery. It invades the intestinal lining, leading to symptoms like severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Salmonella (choice B) typically causes food poisoning, not dysentery. Klebsiella (choice C) is associated with pneumonia and urinary tract infections, not dysentery. "None of the above" (choice D) is incorrect as Shigella does belong to a specific genus responsible for bacterial dysentery.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 20 minutes. Escherichia coli has a short generation time, typically around 20 minutes. This means that under ideal conditions, one bacterium can divide and produce two daughter cells every 20 minutes. This rapid growth rate is a characteristic of E. coli and is important in various fields such as microbiology and biotechnology. Choice B (60 minutes) and Choice C (20 hours) are incorrect as they do not align with the typical generation time of E. coli. Choice D (24 hours) is also incorrect as it is too long for the generation time of E. coli.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because both Clostridium botulinum and Bacillus anthracis are capable of forming spores to survive in extreme conditions. Clostridium botulinum is known for causing botulism and produces highly heat-resistant spores, while Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax and also forms spores. Choice A is incorrect because only Clostridium botulinum is mentioned, not Bacillus anthracis. Choice B is incorrect because only Bacillus anthracis is mentioned, not Clostridium botulinum. Choice D is incorrect as it states that none of the bacteria can form spores, which is false based on the characteristics of Clostridium botulinum and Bacillus anthracis.