Microscopy of a wound abscess revealed Gram-negative rods producing blue-green pigment with a distinctive odor of jasmine. What is the likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known for producing a blue-green pigment called pyocyanin, which gives the characteristic color seen in the wound abscess. The distinctive odor of jasmine is also a key feature of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Proteus vulgaris (B) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (D) do not produce blue-green pigment or have a jasmine-like odor. Escherichia coli (C) typically does not produce blue-green pigment or have a jasmine-like odor.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: TRUE. Poxviruses are indeed the largest viruses, ranging from 200-450 nm in size, which is close to the resolution limit of a light microscope. This makes them almost visible under a light microscope. The other choices are incorrect because poxviruses are not smaller or uncertain in size (choices B and C), nor are they partially visible - they are almost visible due to their relatively large size.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Homemade canned meat. Botulism is caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which thrives in low-oxygen environments like improperly canned food. Homemade canned meat poses a higher risk of contamination as it may not have been processed correctly, allowing the bacteria to grow and produce toxins. Custard pastry, sour cream, and strawberries are less likely to cause botulism as they are not typically associated with the bacteria unless improperly handled or stored. Homemade canned meat is the most probable cause based on the characteristic symptoms of botulism and the conditions that favor the growth of Clostridium botulinum in canned food.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cell-wall regrowth. This is not a bacterial antibiotic resistance mechanism because antibiotics target specific components in bacteria, such as cell wall synthesis, making regrowth impossible in the presence of antibiotics. Reduced permeability (A) decreases antibiotic entry, Over-expression of target (C) reduces antibiotic effectiveness, and Efflux pump (D) actively removes antibiotics from the cell, all contributing to antibiotic resistance. In summary, cell-wall regrowth is not a mechanism of antibiotic resistance, unlike the other choices that actively promote bacterial survival against antibiotics.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Mantoux test. The Mantoux test is used to screen for tuberculosis by injecting PPD intradermally. The presence of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction indicates prior exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Schick test (B) is used to test for immunity to diphtheria, while the Dick test (C) is used to test for immunity to scarlet fever. Therefore, the correct use of PPD is in the Mantoux test for tuberculosis screening.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Before antibiotic therapy is begun. Detecting penicillin-resistant, beta-lactamase-producing strains before antibiotic therapy is crucial to ensure proper treatment. If detected after therapy (choice A), it may lead to treatment failure. Detection during therapy (choice C) may result in delayed or ineffective treatment. Choice D is incorrect as early detection is essential for successful management.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Selective toxicity. Chemotherapy aims to target cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy cells, known as selective toxicity. This principle is crucial to effectively treat cancer without causing excessive damage to the patient's body. Accumulation in the macroorganism (B) and causing allergies (C) are not fundamental principles of chemotherapy and can lead to harmful side effects. Therefore, the correct answer is A as it aligns with the core objective of chemotherapy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known for producing a blue-green pigment called pyocyanin, which gives the characteristic color seen in the wound abscess. The distinctive odor of jasmine is also a key feature of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Proteus vulgaris (B) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (D) do not produce blue-green pigment or have a jasmine-like odor. Escherichia coli (C) typically does not produce blue-green pigment or have a jasmine-like odor.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test. This test is used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria by measuring the zone of inhibition around antibiotic-soaked paper disks. It helps identify which antibiotics are effective against the bacteria being tested. This test is crucial in guiding antibiotic treatment decisions. A: Gram stain is used to classify bacteria based on their cell wall composition and morphology, not for antibiotic susceptibility testing. B: Catalase test is used to differentiate between catalase-positive and catalase-negative bacteria, not for antibiotic susceptibility testing. D: Endospore stain is used to detect the presence of endospores in bacteria, not for antibiotic susceptibility testing.