A woman gave birth to a stillborn baby with numerous malformations. What protozoan disease could cause intrauterine death?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy leading to stillbirth and malformations. This parasite can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, causing severe complications. Leishmaniasis (B), Malaria (C), and Amebiasis (D) are not known to cause intrauterine death or malformations in the same way as Toxoplasmosis. Leishmaniasis is transmitted by sandflies, Malaria by mosquitoes, and Amebiasis by contaminated food or water.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: icosahedral structure. Icosahedral symmetry is common in viruses due to its efficient packing of genetic material. It consists of 20 equilateral triangular faces and 12 vertices. This symmetry allows viruses to have a stable structure and optimal capacity for encapsulating their genetic material. A: Tetrahedral structure is incorrect as it consists of 4 faces and is not commonly found in viruses. B: Hexahedral structure is incorrect as it consists of 6 faces and is not a common symmetry type in viruses. C: Dodecahedral structure is incorrect as it consists of 12 faces and is not typically seen in viruses. In summary, the icosahedral structure is the correct choice due to its stability, efficient packing, and common presence in viral structures compared to the other options.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Cell-mediated immunity plays a crucial role in combating infections with intracellular pathogens by activating T cells to directly kill infected cells. Facultative and obligate intracellular pathogens, such as viruses and some bacteria, require cell-mediated immunity for effective clearance. Option A is correct due to the specificity of this immune response. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are primarily associated with humoral immunity involving antibodies and not T cell responses against intracellular pathogens.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Facultative anaerobes. Facultative anaerobes can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions because they have the metabolic flexibility to switch between utilizing oxygen for respiration in aerobic conditions and using fermentation in anaerobic conditions. Obligate aerobes (B) require oxygen for survival, obligate anaerobes (C) cannot survive in the presence of oxygen, and microaerophiles (D) require low levels of oxygen to grow effectively. Therefore, the ability of facultative anaerobes to adapt to varying oxygen levels makes them the correct choice for this question.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Papillomaviruses. Papillomaviruses are primarily transmitted through sexual contact, as they infect the skin and mucous membranes of the genital area. This transmission route is well-documented through research and epidemiological studies. Arenaviruses (A) are primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents, not sexual contact. Togaviruses (B) are mainly transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Polyomaviruses (D) are typically spread through respiratory secretions or contaminated urine, not through sexual contact. Therefore, the most appropriate choice for viruses transmitted mainly through sexual contact is Papillomaviruses (C).

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy leading to stillbirth and malformations. This parasite can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, causing severe complications. Leishmaniasis (B), Malaria (C), and Amebiasis (D) are not known to cause intrauterine death or malformations in the same way as Toxoplasmosis. Leishmaniasis is transmitted by sandflies, Malaria by mosquitoes, and Amebiasis by contaminated food or water.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Vaccinia is a laboratory product used in smallpox vaccination. 2. Variola is the virus that causes smallpox, not a laboratory product. 3. Monkeypox is a naturally occurring virus, not a laboratory product. 4. Cowpox can be found in nature and is used in vaccine production, but it is not a laboratory product like Vaccinia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pyogenes. Rationale: 1. Gram-positive cocci in pairs suggest Streptococcus species. 2. Catalase-negative rules out Staphylococcus. 3. Beta-hemolytic indicates Streptococcus pyogenes due to its beta-hemolytic properties. Summary: B: Streptococcus pneumoniae is catalase-negative but not beta-hemolytic. C: Enterococcus faecalis is not typically beta-hemolytic. D: Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and not typically in pairs.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Shigellosis. Shigellosis is caused by the bacteria Shigella, commonly transmitted through contaminated food and water. The bacteria can spread easily in unsanitary conditions. Mumps (A) is a viral infection spread through respiratory droplets. Legionellosis (C) is caused by the Legionella bacteria found in water sources like cooling towers. Tuberculosis (D) is a bacterial infection transmitted through the air. Therefore, the correct answer is B as it directly relates to contaminated food transmission.