Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: The symptoms described are consistent with Balantidiasis, caused by the parasite Balantidium coli. The presence of ciliated oval organisms in the feces is characteristic of this disease. Ulcers in the large intestine are common in Balantidiasis due to tissue invasion by the parasite. Headache, fever, and abdominal pain are typical symptoms. Other choices can be ruled out: B) Amebiasis presents with similar symptoms but usually involves the liver. C) Toxoplasmosis typically presents with lymphadenopathy and flu-like symptoms. D) Lambliasis usually causes watery diarrhea without blood or mucus. Therefore, the correct answer is A: Balantidiasis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thayer-Martin agar. This selective media contains antibiotics that inhibit the growth of other organisms while allowing Neisseria gonorrhoeae to grow. The antibiotics in Thayer-Martin agar include vancomycin, colistin, nystatin, and trimethoprim, which target different types of bacteria, ensuring the isolation of N. gonorrhoeae. Phenylethyl alcohol agar (A) is used to isolate gram-positive organisms, not N. gonorrhoeae. MacConkey agar (C) is selective for gram-negative enteric bacteria. Mannitol salt agar (D) is used for isolating Staphylococcus species based on their ability to ferment mannitol.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Halophiles. Halophiles are bacteria that can survive in extreme salty environments. They have adapted to thrive in high salt concentrations. Psychrophiles (A) thrive in cold temperatures, Thermophiles (C) thrive in high temperatures, and Mesophiles (D) thrive in moderate temperatures. Therefore, they are not adapted to survive in extreme salty environments like Halophiles.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because protozoan emerging and reemerging diseases fall under Group I according to the classification of infectious diseases by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Group I includes diseases caused by newly identified or known infectious agents that have increased in incidence or geographic range. Choice B (Group II) includes diseases that have re-emerged due to antimicrobial resistance or lack of previous vaccination. Choice C (Group III) encompasses diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and choice D (Group IV) includes diseases that are caused by re-introduction of eradicated pathogens.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis, as it specifically infects the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body. Mycobacterium leprae (Choice A) causes leprosy, not tuberculosis. Bacillus anthracis (Choice C) causes anthrax, not tuberculosis. Staphylococcus aureus (Choice D) is a common bacterium known for causing skin infections, not tuberculosis. Therefore, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the correct answer for the causative agent of tuberculosis.