Examination of a man revealed a protozoan disease that affected brain and caused vision loss. Blood analysis revealed unicellular half-moon-shaped organisms with pointed end. The causative agent of this disease is:

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: The correct answer is B: serratia spp. This is because serratia spp. are not typically found in the normal skin microflora. Normal skin microflora primarily consist of bacteria such as diphtheroids, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, and epidermidis. Serratia spp. are more commonly associated with healthcare-associated infections rather than being a part of the skin's natural bacterial flora. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they are commonly found in the normal skin microflora.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: Vibrio cholerae produces the exotoxin responsible for severe diarrhea. It causes cholera by disrupting the normal functioning of the intestines. Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, not diarrhea. Streptococcus pyogenes causes strep throat and skin infections. Salmonella enterica causes food poisoning, not severe diarrhea. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Family Reoviridae. Reassortment of gene segments occurs in segmented viruses like Reoviruses. In Reoviridae, each segment encodes a specific protein, allowing for reassortment to generate new strains. Togaviridae (A) is a non-segmented virus, not capable of reassortment. Picornaviridae (C) and Paramyxoviruses (D) are also non-segmented viruses, limiting their ability for reassortment. Therefore, the correct choice is B due to the segmented nature of Reoviruses allowing for genetic reassortment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 1 chromosome. Bacterial cells typically have a singular circular chromosome that contains their genetic material. This chromosome is essential for the cell's survival and contains all the necessary genetic information for its functions. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they refer to the chromosome numbers found in human cells (23 pairs or 46 individual chromosomes). Bacteria, being prokaryotic organisms, have a simpler genetic makeup compared to eukaryotic organisms like humans, hence they possess only one chromosome.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Antony van Leeuwenhoek. He was the first to observe and describe "animalcules" (microorganisms) through his early microscopes. Robert Hooke (A) is known for his work with cells but did not discover animalcules. Hans Janssen (C) and John Needham (D) did not make significant contributions to the discovery of microorganisms. Leeuwenhoek's pioneering observations were crucial in the development of microbiology.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Sandfly. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is transmitted by the bite of infected sandflies. These tiny insects are known vectors for Leishmania parasites. Sandflies are active during dusk and night, feeding on blood from mammals, including humans. Tick (B), mosquito (C), and tsetse fly (D) are not vectors for Leishmania parasites. Ticks transmit diseases like Lyme disease, mosquitoes transmit diseases like malaria, and tsetse flies transmit African trypanosomiasis. Therefore, the correct vector for cutaneous leishmaniasis is the sandfly due to its specific role in transmitting the Leishmania parasite.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Gram-positive cocci in clusters point to Staphylococcus or Micrococcus. 2. Catalase-positive eliminates Streptococcus. 3. Coagulase-positive distinguishes Staphylococcus aureus. 4. Thus, the causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus. Summary: - B: Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative. - C: Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative. - D: Micrococcus luteus is catalase-positive but coagulase-negative.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus. This is because Staphylococcus aureus is Gram-positive, catalase-positive, and coagulase-positive, which matches the characteristics described in the question. Staphylococcus epidermidis is also Gram-positive but is coagulase-negative. Streptococcus pneumoniae is Gram-positive but is catalase-negative. Enterococcus faecalis is Gram-positive but is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative. Therefore, based on the given information, Staphylococcus aureus is the likely causative agent of the wound infection.