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: 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: 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: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D (15-Oct) because boiling items for at least 15 minutes is necessary to effectively kill most vegetative bacteria and viruses. This duration ensures that the water reaches a high enough temperature to destroy harmful microorganisms. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not provide a sufficient amount of time for the water to reach the necessary temperature to effectively kill bacteria and viruses. Shorter durations may not be effective in ensuring food safety.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: A is incorrect because whooping cough resurgence is mainly due to decreased vaccine immunity, not changing antigenicity. B is correct as P. aeruginosa can indeed cause infections with blue-green pus due to its pigment production. C is correct as H. influenzae type b capsule is a virulence factor contributing to invasive disease. D is correct as Legionella infection is acquired via inhalation of contaminated water aerosols. Therefore, A is incorrect as the rise in whooping cough is not due to changing antigenicity but vaccine immunity decline.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: To determine the children that need to receive BCG vaccination. The Mantoux test is used to identify individuals who have been exposed to Tuberculosis (TB) and need BCG vaccination for protection. Parotitis (choice A) is a viral infection unrelated to TB. Allergization rate toward rickettsia (choice B) and immune stress toward diphtheria (choice C) are not related to the Mantoux test or BCG vaccination. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer as it aligns with the purpose of the Mantoux test.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Negative stain. Negative staining uses acidic dyes which are repelled by the bacterial cell wall components, highlighting bacteria with a large amount of peptidoglycan. Acid-fast stain (A) is used to identify Mycobacterium species with waxy cell walls. Gram stain (B) differentiates bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on cell wall composition. Option D is a duplicate of option C and is incorrect.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: acidic pH. The reproductive tract's acidic pH serves as a defense mechanism by creating an environment hostile to many pathogens, preventing microbial infection. The acidic pH helps to inhibit the growth and survival of harmful microorganisms. A: Alkaline pH would actually be more favorable for microbial growth as most pathogens thrive in neutral to alkaline pH environments. C: High sugar concentration can actually promote microbial growth as many pathogens feed on sugars. D: High body temperature may help in some cases, but it is not as effective as an acidic pH in preventing microbial infection in the reproductive tract.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Isoniazid. Isoniazid is a first-line drug for treating active pulmonary tuberculosis due to its high efficacy and low toxicity. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of mycolic acids in the bacterial cell wall. Sulfalen, Cyclocerine, and Ethionamide are not first-line drugs for tuberculosis. Sulfalen is used for urinary tract infections, Cyclocerine for drug-resistant tuberculosis, and Ethionamide as a second-line drug for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Therefore, Isoniazid is the most appropriate initial choice for treating active focal pulmonary tuberculosis.