What is the primary purpose of a bacterial capsule?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Enhancing virulence by preventing phagocytosis. Bacterial capsules help bacteria evade the immune system by preventing phagocytosis, a process where immune cells engulf and destroy pathogens. This enhances the bacteria's virulence and ability to cause infections. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because bacterial capsules do not directly contribute to protein synthesis, protect against desiccation, or facilitate motility.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Amebiasis. Amebiasis is caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, presenting with symptoms like acute abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea with mucus, and inconstant shape organisms seen in fecal smear. The presence of erythrocytes supports the diagnosis due to the parasite's ability to invade intestinal mucosa causing bleeding. Choice B (Lambliasis) presents with different symptoms like steatorrhea and fatigue. Choice C (Schistosomiasis) is mainly associated with liver and urinary symptoms. Choice D (Intestinal trichomoniasis) commonly presents with watery diarrhea and does not typically cause bloody stools. Therefore, based on the patient's symptoms and fecal smear findings, Amebiasis is the most likely diagnosis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Adenovirus. Adenovirus commonly causes acute febrile pharyngitis and pharyngoconjunctival fever. Adenovirus is known to cause respiratory infections and can present with symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and conjunctivitis. VZV (Varicella-Zoster Virus) causes chickenpox and shingles, not these specific symptoms. Measles virus causes a systemic illness with characteristic rash, not typically pharyngitis. Rubella virus causes a mild febrile illness with rash, but not pharyngitis. Therefore, based on the clinical presentation described, adenovirus is the most likely cause.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus epidermidis. The presence of Gram-positive cocci in clusters, along with being catalase-positive and coagulase-negative, is indicative of Staphylococcus species. Staphylococcus epidermidis is commonly found on the skin, making it likely to cause wound infections. Summary: B: Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and coagulase-positive. C: Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative. D: Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because coagulase helps bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus to form clots, allowing them to evade the host immune response. This mechanism helps the bacteria to hide from the immune system and establish infection. A. Adhesion to surfaces is usually facilitated by other factors like adhesins. B. Breaking down red blood cells is not a function of coagulase. D. Antibiotic resistance is typically mediated by other mechanisms like efflux pumps or enzymatic inactivation, not coagulase.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is responsible for causing tuberculosis, as it has unique characteristics that allow it to infect the lungs and evade the immune system, leading to a chronic infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a slow-growing, acid-fast bacterium that can survive and replicate within macrophages, causing the characteristic granulomas seen in tuberculosis. Choice B, Escherichia coli, is a common gut bacterium and is not responsible for tuberculosis. Choice C, Clostridium botulinum, causes botulism, not tuberculosis. Choice D, Salmonella enterica, causes food poisoning, not tuberculosis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. The presence of ulcers in animals suggests a parasitic infection. 2. Mosquitoes as carriers indicate a protozoan transmitted through insect bites. 3. Among the choices, Plasmodium falciparum causes malaria transmitted by mosquitoes. 4. Leishmania tropica major causes cutaneous leishmaniasis, not ulcers. 5. Balantidium coli causes intestinal infections, not skin ulcers. 6. Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, not skin ulcers.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are all known to cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) in humans. E. coli is the most common cause of UTIs, accounting for about 80-85% of cases. S. enterica and P. aeruginosa are less common but can still infect the urinary tract under certain circumstances. Therefore, all three bacteria can potentially cause UTIs, making option D the correct choice. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not cover the full range of bacteria known to cause UTIs.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Enhancing virulence by preventing phagocytosis. Bacterial capsules help bacteria evade the immune system by preventing phagocytosis, a process where immune cells engulf and destroy pathogens. This enhances the bacteria's virulence and ability to cause infections. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because bacterial capsules do not directly contribute to protein synthesis, protect against desiccation, or facilitate motility.