Examination of a child revealed some whitish spots looking like coagulated milk on the mucous membrane of his cheeks and tongue. Analysis of smears revealed gram-positive oval yeast-like cells. What causative agents are they?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Candida. The whitish spots resembling coagulated milk on the mucous membranes are characteristic of oral thrush, a condition caused by Candida species. Candida is a gram-positive oval yeast-like fungus commonly found in the oral cavity. Staphylococci (B) are gram-positive cocci, not yeast-like cells. Diphtheria bacillus (C) causes diphtheria, not oral thrush. Actinomycetes (D) are filamentous bacteria, not yeast-like cells typically seen in oral thrush. Therefore, A is the correct answer based on the clinical presentation and microscopic findings.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan that causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection commonly found in vaginal discharges. In this case, the presence of flagellates in the vaginal discharge aligns with the characteristics of Trichomonas vaginalis. Leishmania donovani causes leishmaniasis, transmitted by sandflies. Trypanosoma gambiense causes African sleeping sickness through the tsetse fly bite. Trihomonas hominis is a non-pathogenic flagellate found in the human intestine. Therefore, the correct choice is A due to the correlation between the flagellates found in the vaginal discharge and the characteristics of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis is a Gram-negative rod that exhibits a 'safety pin' appearance on staining due to bipolar staining. This bacterium is the causative agent of plague, which can present as painful ulcers known as buboes. Y. pestis is transmitted by fleas and can cause outbreaks in humans. Summary: - B: Francisella tularensis causes tularemia, not typically associated with painful ulcers. - C: Brucella abortus causes brucellosis, which does not typically present with painful ulcers. - D: Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, not painful ulcers.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Facultative anaerobes. Facultative anaerobes can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. In aerobic conditions, they use oxygen for energy production, while in anaerobic conditions, they can switch to fermentation or anaerobic respiration. A: Obligate aerobes require oxygen to survive and cannot survive in anaerobic environments. C: Obligate anaerobes cannot survive in the presence of oxygen and only thrive in anaerobic conditions. D: Microaerophiles require low levels of oxygen to survive and cannot thrive in fully aerobic or anaerobic conditions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Toxoplasma. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that can infect the brain and cause vision loss. The description of half-moon-shaped organisms with a pointed end matches the appearance of Toxoplasma under the microscope. Toxoplasma is known to cause a condition called toxoplasmosis, which can lead to neurological symptoms such as vision loss. Leishmania, Lamblia, Amoeba, and Trichomonad are not known to cause brain infections or vision loss, making them incorrect choices.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Memory cells are not part of the non-specific immune response because they are a component of the specific immune response. Non-specific immune responses are immediate and target a broad range of pathogens, whereas memory cells are formed after exposure to a specific pathogen to provide a quicker and stronger response upon subsequent exposure. Lysozyme (A), Interferon (C), and Phagocytosis (D) are all part of the non-specific immune response. Lysozyme is an enzyme that destroys bacterial cell walls, interferon helps to inhibit viral replication, and phagocytosis involves the engulfing and destruction of pathogens by phagocytes. These responses are not specific to particular pathogens and are the body's first line of defense.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: ribosome. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, not packaging. The Golgi complex (A) processes and packages proteins. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) (C) is involved in protein synthesis and transport. Lysosomes (D) contain enzymes for digestion, not protein packaging. Therefore, ribosomes are the organelle directly involved in protein synthesis, making it the correct choice.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Staphylococcus saprophyticus. The rationale is that Staphylococcus saprophyticus is the only one among the listed species that is known to be resistant to novobiocin. This resistance is due to the specific mechanism of action of novobiocin, which targets DNA gyrase, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus possesses an altered DNA gyrase enzyme that renders it resistant to the antibiotic. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are susceptible to novobiocin, making choices A and B incorrect. Choice D, "none of the listed," is also incorrect as Staphylococcus saprophyticus is indeed resistant to novobiocin.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Shagreen leather. Yersinia pestis, the bacterium causing plague, forms colonies resembling shagreen leather on a hard nutrient medium due to its distinctive morphology. This morphology includes a rough, irregular, and raised appearance, similar to the texture of shagreen leather. A: Dewdrops - Incorrect. Dewdrops do not accurately describe the colony morphology of Yersinia pestis. C: Lace handkerchief - Incorrect. Lace handkerchief does not accurately describe the colony morphology of Yersinia pestis. D: Mercury drops - Incorrect. Mercury drops do not accurately describe the colony morphology of Yersinia pestis.