A stool sample from a patient with severe diarrhea revealed non-lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative rods on Endo agar. What is the likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Shigella dysenteriae. It is the likely causative agent because it is a non-lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative rod commonly associated with severe diarrhea. Shigella dysenteriae specifically causes bacillary dysentery. Other choices are incorrect because: B: Escherichia coli is a lactose-fermenting bacterium commonly found in the gut and not typically associated with severe diarrhea. C: Salmonella typhi causes typhoid fever, not severe diarrhea. D: Proteus mirabilis is a urease-positive bacterium associated with urinary tract infections, not severe diarrhea.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: peak effect. When drug receptors are maximally activated, it means the drug has reached its highest effectiveness, resulting in the peak effect. This occurs when the drug concentration is at its highest level in the body, leading to the maximum response. Threshold level (A) refers to the minimum amount of drug needed to produce a response. Cessation effect (C) is when the drug's effect wears off. Latency time (D) is the time it takes for the drug to start producing an effect. So, the peak effect best describes the scenario where drug receptors are maximally activated.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Meningitides. H. Influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterium known to cause meningitis, a serious infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Hib does not typically cause tonsillitis, urinary tract infections, or gastroenteritis. Meningitis is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt treatment, making it crucial to identify Hib as the causative agent.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: salmonellosis. Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Salmonella is not directly transmitted from animals to humans, instead, it is typically transmitted through contaminated food or water. Brucellosis (A), undulant fever (B), and plague (C) are all zoonotic diseases that can be directly transmitted from animals to humans through various means. Therefore, salmonellosis does not fit the definition of a zoonotic disease, making it the correct answer.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: active transport system. Permeases are specific carriers that actively transport molecules across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy input. This process is known as active transport, which is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and allowing the cell to accumulate specific molecules. Facilitated diffusion (A) and passive transport (B) both involve the movement of molecules down their concentration gradient without the need for energy input. Simple diffusion (C) also does not involve specific carriers and relies on the natural movement of molecules from areas of high concentration to low concentration. Therefore, the correct choice is D as permeases specifically function in active transport systems.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during delivery through mixing of blood, during pregnancy through the placenta, and via breastmilk during lactation. Each mode of transmission carries a risk of HIV transmission to the child due to the presence of the virus in the mother's blood and bodily fluids. It is important to note that all three modes contribute to the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and preventive measures should be taken to reduce this risk. Option A, during delivery through mixing of blood, is correct as HIV can be transmitted through exposure to infected blood during childbirth. Option B, during pregnancy through placenta, is also correct as the virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus. Option C, via breastmilk during lactation, is correct as HIV can be present in breastmilk and transmitted to the child through breastfeeding. Therefore, the preferred mode of transmission of HIV from a mother to a child

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Legionella and Neisseria are both gram-negative aerobic rods and cocci. Legionella is a rod-shaped bacterium, while Neisseria is a diplococcus. Both are aerobic, meaning they require oxygen for growth. The other choices are incorrect because Legionella and Neisseria are not facultative anaerobes (A), spirochetes (C), or anaerobic cocci (D). Understanding the characteristics of these bacteria helps in differentiating and selecting the correct answer.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Candida is a fungus commonly isolated from clinical specimens. 2. Sabouraud agar is the most suitable medium for Candida due to its low pH and high dextrose content. 3. Low pH inhibits bacterial growth, while dextrose promotes fungal growth. 4. Zeisler media, Chocolate agar, and Muller-Hinton agar are not specific for fungal isolation. Summary: - Zeisler media is used for anaerobic bacteria. - Chocolate agar is used for fastidious organisms like Haemophilus. - Muller-Hinton agar is for antibiotic susceptibility testing, not fungal isolation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: BCG vaccine. Step 1: BCG vaccine is specifically designed to protect against tuberculosis, making it the appropriate choice for newborns. Step 2: STI vaccine is for sexually transmitted infections, not tuberculosis. Step 3: EV vaccine is not a recognized vaccine. Step 4: DPT vaccine protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, not tuberculosis. In summary, BCG vaccine is the correct choice as it targets tuberculosis specifically, while the other options are designed for different purposes.