The most important virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis is:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: pertussis toxin. This toxin is the most important virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis because it plays a key role in causing the characteristic symptoms of whooping cough. Pertussis toxin interferes with the host's immune response, leading to inflammation and tissue damage in the respiratory tract. The other choices (A: the flagellum, C: P fimbriae, D: mannose-resistant adhesins) are important for bacterial attachment and colonization, but they do not directly contribute to the severity of the disease like pertussis toxin does.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Identification. Bacteria are studied by identification to determine their specific characteristics and differentiate between different species. Taxonomy (A) is the science of classification, not specific to bacteria. Classification (B) is the process of grouping organisms based on shared characteristics, not specific to bacteria. Nomenclature (D) is the naming system for organisms, not the primary method for studying bacteria. Therefore, identification (C) is the correct choice for studying bacteria.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Oxidation. Phase I reactions in biotransformation involve introducing or unmasking functional groups through oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis. Oxidation reactions typically involve the addition of an oxygen atom or removal of hydrogen atoms, making them common phase I reactions. In this process, enzymes like cytochrome P450 play a crucial role in catalyzing the oxidation reactions. Conjugation (B), acetylation (C), and glucuronidation (D) are all examples of phase II reactions, which involve the conjugation of the drug or metabolite with endogenous compounds to increase water solubility for excretion. These reactions typically follow phase I reactions and are not classified as phase I reactions in biotransformation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: cell wall composition. Gram staining differentiates bacteria based on the structure of their cell walls. It classifies bacteria into Gram-positive (thick peptidoglycan layer) and Gram-negative (thin peptidoglycan layer). This differentiation is crucial for identifying bacterial species and guiding treatment choices. Size and shape (choice A) are not specific to Gram staining. Presence of flagella (choice B) is related to bacterial motility, not Gram staining. Genetic material (choice D) is not directly assessed by Gram staining. Overall, the unique composition of the cell wall is the key factor in distinguishing bacteria through Gram staining.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Metronidazole is the drug of choice for systemic amebiasis due to its high efficacy against Entamoeba histolytica. It has good tissue penetration and can treat intestinal, liver, and lung involvement. Quiniofone (A) has limited use and is not recommended for amebiasis. Enteroseptol (B) is not effective against systemic amebiasis. Tetracycline (D) is not the first-line treatment for amebiasis and has limited efficacy against Entamoeba histolytica.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step 1: Mantoux test measures cell-mediated immunity response to tuberculosis. Step 2: A negative result means no significant immune response to TB antigens. Step 3: Option A is incorrect, as it refers to antitoxic immunity, not cell immunity. Step 4: Option B is incorrect, as it mentions antibodies, not cell-mediated immunity. Step 5: Option C is incorrect, as it states absence of antibodies, not cell immunity. Step 6: Option D is correct as it directly correlates with the purpose of Mantoux test.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Botulism. Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In this case, the patient's symptoms align with botulism due to the ingestion of homemade mushrooms. The symptoms of double vision, heavy breathing, paleness, widened pupils, swallowing difficulties, bradycardia, and constipation are all classic signs of botulism poisoning. The toxin affects the nervous system and can lead to paralysis. The other choices (B: Yersiniosis, C: Leptospirosis, D: Salmonellosis) do not match the patient's symptoms and history of consuming mushrooms, making them incorrect.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because Marburg virus and Ebola virus belong to the Filoviridae family. These viruses are characterized by their filamentous shape and are known to cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. Both viruses have caused outbreaks with high mortality rates. Choice A (Lassa virus and lymphocytic choriomeningitis viruses) are not part of the Filoviridae family. They belong to the Arenaviridae family, which also includes viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers. Choice B (Chikungunya virus and Sindbis virus) are arboviruses belonging to the Togaviridae family, which are not related to the Filoviridae family. Choice D (Crimean-Congo virus and Hantaan virus) are part of the Nairoviridae and Hantaviridae families, respectively, and not the Filoviridae family.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B (2). During glycolysis, one glucose molecule is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate. In this process, a net gain of 2 ATP molecules is produced through substrate-level phosphorylation. Specifically, ATP is generated during the conversion of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate and during the conversion of phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate. The other choices are incorrect because the net gain of ATP molecules in glycolysis is not 1, 3, or 4; it is 2 based on the specific enzymatic reactions involved in the pathway.