A woman hospitalized in the surgical department complains of pain in her lower abdomen and in the small of her back, frequent and painful urination. Urine culture test revealed gram-negative oxidase- positive bacilli that formed green mucoid colonies with specific smell. What causative agent can be suspected?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Proteus mirabilis. The patient's symptoms of lower abdominal pain, back pain, frequent/painful urination, and the presence of gram-negative oxidase-positive bacilli forming green mucoid colonies with a specific smell suggest a urinary tract infection caused by Proteus mirabilis. This bacterium is known for causing UTIs and is characterized by its swarming motility and distinctive odor. A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections but does not typically cause UTIs with the specific characteristics described. B: Mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterium that causes respiratory infections, not UTIs. C: Str.pyogenes (Streptococcus pyogenes) is a common cause of strep throat and skin infections, not UTIs. D: Helicobacter pylori is associated with gastritis and peptic ulcers, not UTIs.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice C (Nystatin) is the correct answer: 1. Nystatin is an antifungal medication specifically effective against Candida infections. 2. Candida is a type of fungus, not a bacteria targeted by penicillins (choice A) or cephalosporins (choice B). 3. Nystatin works by disrupting the fungal cell membrane, leading to its death. 4. Choice D (None of the above) is incorrect as Nystatin is a suitable treatment option for Candida infections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Clostridium botulinum is known for producing the neurotoxin causing botulism. 2. Botulinum toxin paralyzes muscles, leading to symptoms of botulism. 3. Clostridium tetani produces tetanus toxin causing muscle rigidity, not botulism. 4. Streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumonia, not botulism. 5. Escherichia coli can cause food poisoning, but not botulism. Summary: Choice A is correct (Clostridium botulinum) due to its association with botulism and neurotoxin production. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are associated with different diseases and toxins.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is known as a common cause of hospital-acquired infections due to its ability to colonize the skin and mucous membranes of healthcare workers and patients. Staphylococcus aureus can cause various infections, including surgical site infections and bloodstream infections, in healthcare settings. Rationale: 1. Clostridium botulinum is known for causing foodborne botulism, not hospital-acquired infections. 2. Treponema pallidum causes syphilis, which is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, not hospital settings. 3. Mycobacterium leprae causes leprosy, which is not commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections. In summary, Staphylococcus aureus is the correct answer as it is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections due to its prevalence in healthcare environments, unlike the other choices which are not typically associated with hospital-acquired infections.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Shigella is a nonmotile bacterium. 2. This lack of motility is a key characteristic used to differentiate it from other enteric bacteria. 3. Nonmotile nature of Shigella helps it to cause infections by invading the intestinal epithelial cells. 4. Therefore, choice C is correct as Shigella is indeed nonmotile. Summary: A: Incorrect - Shigella does not produce hydrogen sulfide. B: Incorrect - Shigella does not ferment lactose. D: Incorrect - Shigella is not mannitol positive.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is the main cause of peptic ulcers by damaging the protective lining of the stomach and duodenum. It secretes enzymes that weaken the mucosal barrier, allowing stomach acid to cause damage. Salmonella typhi (A) causes typhoid fever, not peptic ulcers. Shigella boydii (C) causes dysentery, not peptic ulcers. Salmonella enterica (D) causes food poisoning, not peptic ulcers. Therefore, the correct answer is B based on its direct association with peptic ulcer formation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Axial filaments, also known as endoflagella, are composed of proteins. These proteins form a helical structure that enables certain bacteria, such as spirochetes, to move in a corkscrew-like motion. Proteins are the main structural component of axial filaments due to their flexibility and ability to generate movement. Choice B, polyphosphates, are not typically associated with axial filaments, as they are more involved in energy storage and transfer. Choice C, volutin granules, are storage inclusions of inorganic polyphosphate and are not part of axial filaments. Choice D, carbohydrates, are not the primary component of axial filaments which are protein-based structures responsible for bacterial motility.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Rickettsia. Rickettsia is a host-dependent bacterium because it requires living cells of a host organism to survive and replicate. This bacterium is an obligate intracellular pathogen, meaning it cannot grow outside of a host cell. A: Mycoplasma and B: Ureaplasma are not host-dependent as they can grow and reproduce in cell-free environments due to possessing their own unique cell wall structures. D: Micrococcus is a free-living bacterium that can survive and reproduce independently without relying on a host organism.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for the transfer of genetic material, typically through a pilus. This process is well-documented in bacterial genetics. Transformation (A) involves uptake of free DNA from the environment. Transduction (B) is genetic transfer by a viral vector. Replication (C) is the process of producing identical copies of DNA or RNA. Therefore, the correct answer is D (conjugation) as it specifically refers to the one-way transfer of genetic material through direct cell-to-cell contact.