A smear of dental plaque revealed unicellular organisms with pseudopodia and ingested white blood cells. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba gingivalis. This organism matches the description provided in the question - unicellular with pseudopodia and ingested white blood cells, commonly found in dental plaque. Entamoeba gingivalis is known to inhabit the oral cavity and is associated with periodontal disease. Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia lamblia, and Balantidium coli do not match the characteristics mentioned in the question and are not typically found in the oral cavity.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because penicillins and cephalosporins inactivate transpeptidase activity of penicillin binding proteins, leading to disruption of bacterial cell wall synthesis. This mechanism makes them bactericidal, not bacteriostatic (choice B). Choice C is incorrect as penicillins and cephalosporins target cell wall synthesis, not the cytoplasmic membrane. Choice D is incorrect as option A is the correct statement.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: kidneys. The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for excreting drugs from the body through urine. They filter the blood and remove waste products, including drugs, through the process of urine formation. The lungs primarily excrete gases and volatile substances, not drugs. The small intestines are mainly involved in absorption of nutrients, not drug excretion. The spleen is part of the immune system and does not play a direct role in drug excretion.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Salmonella typhi, because it is a motile bacterium due to possessing flagella that aid in movement. Bacillus anthracis (A) is non-motile, Klebsiella pneumoniae (B) lacks flagella for motility, and Shigella flexneri (C) is non-motile as well. Salmonella typhi (D) is known for its flagella-driven motility, allowing it to move and spread within its host and environment. Flagella are essential for bacterial motility, enabling them to navigate and colonize different environments efficiently.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected cat feces. During pregnancy, Toxoplasma infection can result in severe birth defects such as microcephaly and mental retardation in the child. In this case, the presence of a cat in the family and the child's abnormalities suggest a possible link to Toxoplasmosis. Other choices are incorrect because: B: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sandflies and does not typically cause the specific birth defects mentioned in the scenario. C: Dysentery is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the intestines and does not cause the neurological abnormalities described. D: Balantidiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Balantidium coli, a ciliated protozoan, but it is not associated with

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Aminoglycosides primarily inhibit protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit in bacteria. This action leads to misreading of mRNA and ultimately disrupts the translation process, resulting in faulty protein production and bacterial cell death. Incorrect choices: B: Aminoglycosides do not inhibit DNA replication. C: Aminoglycosides do not disrupt cell membrane integrity. D: Aminoglycosides do not inhibit folic acid synthesis. In summary, the correct choice (A) aligns with the known mechanism of action of aminoglycosides, making it the most appropriate answer.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bacteria. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are primarily caused by the invasion of bacteria into the urinary tract. Bacteria, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli), are the most common culprits. They enter the urinary tract through the urethra and can multiply in the bladder, leading to infection. Viruses (choice B) and fungi (choice C) are not typical causes of UTIs. "None of the above" (choice D) is incorrect as bacteria are indeed the main cause of UTIs.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Salmonella typhi. The patient's symptoms of diarrhea and the characteristics of non-lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative rods that are oxidase-positive and fermentative are consistent with Salmonella typhi. Salmonella typhi is the causative agent of typhoid fever, which presents with symptoms like diarrhea. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (choice A) is oxidase-positive but not fermentative. Escherichia coli (choice B) is both lactose-fermenting and oxidase-negative. Shigella dysenteriae (choice D) is oxidase-negative. Therefore, Salmonella typhi is the most likely causative agent based on the given information.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is a major cause of gastric ulcers by disrupting the balance between aggressive (acid, pepsin) and defensive (mucus, bicarbonate, prostaglandins) factors in the stomach lining. H. pylori infection leads to inflammation, weakening the protective mucosal barrier, making the stomach more susceptible to damage. Choices B, C, and D are defensive factors that help protect the stomach lining and prevent ulcer formation, so they do not contribute to the development of gastric ulcers.