A woman delivered a dead child with multiple developmental defects. What protozoan disease might have caused the intrauterine death?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, leading to congenital toxoplasmosis. This infection can result in stillbirth, multiple developmental defects, and intrauterine death. Leishmaniasis (B), Malaria (C), and Amebiasis (D) are caused by different parasites and do not typically lead to intrauterine death or developmental defects in the fetus.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct staining technique for staining sputum smears from a tuberculosis patient is Ziehl-Neelsen staining. This technique uses a carbol fuchsin stain that specifically stains acid-fast organisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The steps involved include staining with carbol fuchsin, decolorizing with acid-alcohol, counterstaining with methylene blue, and then examining under a microscope. This staining method is crucial for detecting the acid-fast bacilli characteristic of tuberculosis. Explanation for incorrect choices: A: Gram staining is used to differentiate bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative, not suitable for acid-fast organisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. B: Giemsa staining is used for detecting parasites and certain types of white blood cells, not specific for acid-fast bacteria. D: Burry staining is not a recognized staining technique in microbiology for staining acid-fast organisms.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the NSP4 nonstructural protein of rotaviruses indeed acts in a toxic-like manner by disrupting calcium homeostasis, leading to diarrhea. Choice B is incorrect as rotaviruses can cause significant disease in infants, but not typically in adults. Choice C is incorrect as rotaviruses are resistant to stomach acid. Choice D is incorrect as rotaviruses cause a net secretion of water and loss of ions, contributing to diarrhea.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus and hemolytic streptococcus. These microorganisms are commonly found in high concentrations during sanitary and bacteriological examination of air in a drugstore due to their prevalence in the environment. Staphylococcus aureus and hemolytic streptococcus are known to be significant pathogens that can cause various infections in humans. Rationale: 1. Staphylococcus aureus and hemolytic streptococcus are common pathogens found in the environment and can easily contaminate air in enclosed spaces like a drugstore. 2. Both microorganisms are considered to be of sanitary significance as they can cause infections and are indicators of poor hygiene and sanitation. 3. Diphtheritic and tuberculous bacilli (Choice B) are not typically associated with air contamination in a drugstore setting. 4. Colibacilli and blue pus bacilli (Choice C) are more commonly found in fecal

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This is because the presence of cysts with four nuclei is characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite that causes amoebic dysentery. Entamoeba histolytica cysts contain four nuclei, distinguishing them from other pathogens. Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis are not associated with cysts containing four nuclei. Balantidium coli is a ciliated protozoan that does not typically form cysts with multiple nuclei. In summary, the unique feature of four nuclei in the cysts points towards Entamoeba histolytica as the most likely causative agent of the diarrhea in this patient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum produces the botulinum toxin, which causes botulism. This bacteria thrives in anaerobic environments and can contaminate improperly canned foods. Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, not botulism. Staphylococcus aureus produces enterotoxins causing food poisoning, not botulism. Escherichia coli can cause food poisoning through various toxins, but not botulism. Therefore, the correct choice is Clostridium botulinum as it specifically produces the botulinum toxin responsible for botulism.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Capnophilic. Brucella requires a CO2 enriched atmosphere for cultivation, making it capnophilic. This is because Brucella is a microaerophilic bacterium that thrives in low oxygen conditions and elevated CO2 levels. Choice B (Facultative anaerobic) and D (Obligate aerobic) are incorrect as Brucella does not grow well under aerobic conditions. Choice C (Obligate anaerobic) is also incorrect as Brucella can grow in the presence of oxygen, although it prefers low oxygen environments.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cell wall. Mycoplasma species lack a cell wall, making them unique among bacteria. This is because they have a flexible cell membrane that provides structural support instead of a rigid cell wall. The absence of a cell wall allows them to be pleomorphic and gives them resistance to certain antibiotics targeting cell wall synthesis. Plasma membrane (B), DNA (C), and ribosomes (D) are present in Mycoplasma species, so they are not the correct answer.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is because Pseudomonas is a Gram-negative rod, oxidase-positive, and non-lactose fermenter. These characteristics are typical of Pseudomonas species. B: Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative rod but is lactose fermenter and usually oxidase-negative. C: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative rod, non-lactose fermenter, but is usually oxidase-negative. D: Shigella dysenteriae is a Gram-negative rod, non-lactose fermenter, but is usually oxidase-negative and is more associated with causing shigellosis rather than deep tissue infections.