During the staining of sputum smear of a patient with suspected croupous pneumonia the following reactives and stainers were used: gentian violet solution, Lugol's solution, 960 spiritus and water fuchsin. What method of staining is used in this case?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gram's staining method. The rationale for this is as follows: Gentian violet and Lugol's solution are used as primary and mordant stains in the Gram's staining method. Spiritus 960 is used as a decolorizer, and water fuchsin is used as a counterstain. This staining method is commonly used in microbiology to differentiate bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on their cell wall characteristics. A: Leffler's staining method is used for the identification of diphtheria bacilli. C: Ziehl-Neelsen's staining method is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. D: Neisser's staining method is used for the identification of Neisseria species. In summary, the use of specific reactives and stainers in the question indicates the application of the Gram's staining method for bacterial differentiation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because cultural characteristics of bacteria refer to their growth patterns on different culture media, including liquid and solid agars. Bacteria exhibit unique growth patterns that can be observed and studied on these media. Choice A is incorrect as it refers to isolation techniques, not cultural characteristics. Choice B is incorrect as it describes metabolic activities, not cultural characteristics. Choice D is incorrect as it dismisses the essential aspect of bacterial growth on culture media.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Escherichia coli. E. coli is the most common cause of UTIs due to its ability to colonize the urinary tract. It possesses adhesive factors that enable it to attach to the bladder and cause infection. Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, Mycobacterium leprae causes leprosy, and Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, none of which are typically associated with UTIs. E. coli's prevalence in the gut and its pathogenic mechanisms make it the leading cause of UTIs.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gram's staining method. The rationale for this is as follows: Gentian violet and Lugol's solution are used as primary and mordant stains in the Gram's staining method. Spiritus 960 is used as a decolorizer, and water fuchsin is used as a counterstain. This staining method is commonly used in microbiology to differentiate bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on their cell wall characteristics. A: Leffler's staining method is used for the identification of diphtheria bacilli. C: Ziehl-Neelsen's staining method is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. D: Neisser's staining method is used for the identification of Neisseria species. In summary, the use of specific reactives and stainers in the question indicates the application of the Gram's staining method for bacterial differentiation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This protozoan parasite causes amoebic dysentery and is characterized by cysts with four nuclei in fecal smears. It is commonly associated with chronic diarrhea. Balantidium coli (B) presents with large ciliated trophozoites, not cysts. Giardia lamblia (C) has trophozoites with flagella and causes giardiasis, not cysts with four nuclei. Trichomonas hominis (D) typically has a pear-shaped trophozoite and is not associated with cysts with four nuclei.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Yeast-like fungi of Candida genus. Candida is a common cause of oral thrush/stomatitis, characterized by mucosal lesions with white coating. The presence of large oval Gram-positive cells is indicative of Candida species. Actinomycetes (B) are filamentous bacteria and not oval Gram-positive cells. Streptococci (C) are spherical bacteria, not oval, and are not commonly associated with stomatitis. Oral spirochetes (D) are spiral-shaped bacteria and not oval Gram-positive cells typically seen in Candida infections. Thus, A is the correct choice based on the characteristic morphology and clinical presentation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for the correct answer (A - Clostridium tetani): 1. The patient has convulsive contractions of facial muscles, indicating tetanus. 2. Isolation of bacteria with terminal endospores that have a drumstick appearance is characteristic of Clostridium tetani. 3. Clostridium tetani produces tetanospasmin toxin causing muscle spasms. 4. Therefore, the correct answer is Clostridium tetani (A). Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, not tetanus. C: Clostridium perfringens causes gas gangrene, not tetanus. D: Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, not tetanus.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Beta lactamase. This enzyme is produced by bacteria to break down the beta-lactam ring structure of penicillins, rendering them ineffective. Beta lactam ring (A) is part of the penicillin molecule, not an enzyme. MRSA (B) stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics, not an enzyme. Aminoglycoside ring (D) refers to a different class of antibiotics and is not related to penicillin resistance in bacteria.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium is known for producing a capsule that helps it evade the immune system. The capsule acts as a protective barrier, making it difficult for the immune system to recognize and attack the bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia and meningitis. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: B: Escherichia coli does not typically produce a capsule for immune evasion. It is more commonly associated with gastrointestinal infections. C: Salmonella enterica also does not produce a capsule for immune evasion. It is known for causing foodborne illness. D: Bacillus subtilis is a soil bacterium that is not known for producing a capsule to avoid the immune system.