The most severe bacillary infections are caused by:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Shigella dysenteriae I. This bacterium is known to produce Shiga toxin, which is responsible for the most severe bacillary infections. The toxin can cause bloody diarrhea and potentially life-threatening complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome. Shigella boydii, flexneri, and sonnei, while also causing bacillary dysentery, do not produce the same level of severity as Shigella dysenteriae I due to the absence of Shiga toxin.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Paramyxoviridae. Mumps virus is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, based on its characteristics such as structure, genome organization, and replication cycle. Paramyxoviruses are enveloped, non-segmented RNA viruses with a helical nucleocapsid. They replicate in the cytoplasm and bud from the host cell membrane. Coronaviridae (A) are a different family of viruses with distinct characteristics. Picornaviridae (B) and Orthomyxoviridae (C) are also different families with unique features that do not match those of the mumps virus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because spores are heat-resistant and require high temperatures for destruction. Autoclaving at 121°C for 15-20 minutes ensures spore destruction due to the high pressure and temperature. Choice B (heating to 80°C) is insufficient to destroy spores. Choice C (boiling at 100°C for 10 minutes) is also inadequate as spores require higher temperatures for elimination. Choice D (None of them) is incorrect as autoclaving is the standard method for spore sterilization.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Meat-peptone agar, as it provides a simple nutritive media for bacterial growth. This agar contains meat extract and peptone, which are good sources of nutrients for bacterial growth. Glucose broth (A) is a liquid medium with glucose but lacks other essential nutrients. Ascites (serum) agar (B) is a selective medium used for detecting pathogens in clinical samples. Blood agar (D) is a differential medium used to distinguish different types of bacteria based on hemolytic reactions. Meat-peptone agar is the simplest and most general-purpose medium among the options provided.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the capsule of bacteria is mainly composed of polysaccharides or polypeptides. This outer layer helps bacteria evade the host's immune system and protects them from desiccation. Peptidoglycan (choice A) is a component of the bacterial cell wall, not the capsule. Flagellin (choice C) is a protein component of the bacterial flagella, not the capsule. Choice D is incorrect as the capsule is indeed composed of polysaccharides or polypeptides.