Microscopic analysis of dental plaque revealed flagellated protozoa without a cyst stage. What microorganism is likely present?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Trichomonas tenax. Trichomonas tenax is a flagellated protozoan commonly found in the oral cavity and does not have a cyst stage. This organism typically inhabits the gingival crevices and can be identified in dental plaque samples. Entamoeba gingivalis (B) is an amoeba and does not have flagella. Balantidium coli (C) is a ciliated protozoan that infects the intestines, not the oral cavity. Giardia lamblia (D) is a flagellated protozoan that infects the intestines and has a distinct cyst stage. Therefore, the presence of flagellated protozoa without a cyst stage in dental plaque indicates Trichomonas tenax is likely present.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Immobilization. This technique is called the Treponema pallidum immobilization (TPI) test, used to diagnose syphilis. The rationale is as follows: 1. TPI test detects antibodies that prevent the movement of treponemas, causing their death. 2. By immobilizing the treponemas, it indicates the presence of specific antibodies against syphilis. 3. This test is highly specific for syphilis diagnosis as it directly targets the causative agent. Other choices are incorrect: B: Complement binding - Not specific to syphilis, more commonly used for other diseases. C: Agglutination - Detects clumping of particles, not specific to treponemas or syphilis. D: Precipitation - Involves the formation of a solid, not directly related to treponema movement or death.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: complex. Bacteriophages are considered complex viruses because they have a complex structure consisting of a polyhedral head, a helical tail, and tail fibers. The head contains the viral genetic material, while the tail facilitates attachment to the host bacterial cell. This complexity distinguishes bacteriophages from simpler viruses like helical and icosahedral viruses. Helical viruses have a rod-like shape, while icosahedral viruses have a symmetrical, 20-sided structure. Enveloped viruses have a lipid bilayer envelope surrounding their capsid, which bacteriophages lack. Therefore, the unique and intricate structure of bacteriophages classifies them as complex viruses.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Polymorphonuclear leukocyte. APCs are specialized immune cells that present antigens to T cells. B cells and dendritic cells are classic examples of APCs, as they can efficiently present antigens. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes, such as neutrophils, are not considered traditional APCs because they are primarily involved in phagocytosis and killing of pathogens rather than antigen presentation. Therefore, they do not play a significant role in initiating adaptive immune responses. The incorrect choices are A (B cell) and C (Dendritic cell) because they are both well-known antigen-presenting cells in the immune system. Choice D (All of the above) is incorrect because B cells and dendritic cells are indeed antigen-presenting cells.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Trichomonas tenax. Trichomonas tenax is a flagellated protozoan commonly found in the oral cavity and does not have a cyst stage. This organism typically inhabits the gingival crevices and can be identified in dental plaque samples. Entamoeba gingivalis (B) is an amoeba and does not have flagella. Balantidium coli (C) is a ciliated protozoan that infects the intestines, not the oral cavity. Giardia lamblia (D) is a flagellated protozoan that infects the intestines and has a distinct cyst stage. Therefore, the presence of flagellated protozoa without a cyst stage in dental plaque indicates Trichomonas tenax is likely present.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Gram-negative stain. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterium, as indicated by the bluish-green pus color. This bacterium has an outer membrane that retains the crystal violet stain, making it appear pink/red after the counterstain with safranin in Gram staining. The other choices are incorrect because Pseudomonas aeruginosa does not typically form spores (B), has a rod-shaped morphology rather than a coccal form (C), and does not exhibit cell pairing (D).

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Insect. A vehicle transmission refers to the mode by which a disease spreads from one host to another. Insects can transmit diseases, making them a vehicle for transmission. Airborne, foodborne, and bodily fluid transmissions are well-known modes of disease spread, while insects are also known vectors for diseases like malaria and Zika.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Gram staining method. This method involves staining with gentian violet, followed by Lugol's solution, 96% alcohol decolorization, and counterstaining with safranin or water-magenta. This staining sequence allows for the differentiation of bacteria based on their cell wall composition. In the case of lobar pneumonia, the causative agent is typically a bacterium with a cell wall that retains the crystal violet stain after decolorization with alcohol, indicating a Gram-positive bacterium. Summary of Incorrect Choices: B: Ziehl-Nielsen staining is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, not for lobar pneumonia. C: Romanovsky staining is primarily used in the identification of blood cells and blood parasites, not for bacteria. D: Neisser staining is not a commonly used staining method in microbiology for bacterial identification.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is known for causing tuberculosis, as it specifically infects the lungs and can lead to serious respiratory issues. Mycobacterium leprae (Choice B) causes leprosy, not tuberculosis. Escherichia coli (Choice C) is a common bacteria found in the intestines and is not associated with tuberculosis. Streptococcus pneumoniae (Choice D) causes pneumonia, but not tuberculosis. Therefore, the correct choice is A because Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the specific bacterium responsible for causing tuberculosis.