Which bacteria are responsible for causing meningitis?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae are all known to cause meningitis. Neisseria meningitidis is a common cause of bacterial meningitis in young adults. Haemophilus influenzae is a leading cause of meningitis in children, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause in adults. Therefore, all three bacteria are responsible for causing meningitis, making option D the correct choice. Option A, B, and C are incorrect because they each represent only one of the bacteria responsible for causing meningitis, while option D includes all three.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: Anthrax causative agent is Bacillus anthracis, which forms spores. Step 2: Spores are highly resistant structures that can survive for a long time. Step 3: These spores can germinate into active bacteria when conditions are favorable. Step 4: The presence of spores in the powder makes it dangerous even long after being mailed. Summary: A: Incorrect - Anthrax does not form a protein capsule. B: Incorrect - Anthrax does not form a polysaccharide capsule. C: Correct - Anthrax forms spores that are highly resistant. D: Incorrect - Anthrax does not form flagella.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium tetani. The presence of Gram-positive rods with terminal spores resembling drumsticks indicates Clostridium tetani, the causative agent of tetanus. This bacterium forms spores at one end, giving it a drumstick appearance under the microscope. Clostridium perfringens (B) and Clostridium botulinum (D) do not have terminal spores. Bacillus anthracis (C) forms spores but typically appears as a square-ended or bamboo stick shape. Therefore, based on the microscopy findings, Clostridium tetani is the most likely microorganism responsible for the wound infection.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tuberculosis and mycobacterioses. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, and other mycobacteria can survive in the soil for extended periods. Here's the rationale: 1. Mycobacteria have a waxy cell wall that provides resistance to harsh environmental conditions. 2. The slow growth rate of mycobacteria allows them to persist in the soil for long periods. 3. Tuberculosis and mycobacterioses are known to be transmitted through environmental exposure, including soil. 4. Colibacillosis and cholera (Choice C) are caused by enteric bacteria that do not survive well in soil. 5. Leptospirosis and plague (Choice D) are bacterial diseases transmitted through animal hosts and are not known to be soil-borne.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Clostridium perfringens. This bacterium is the causative agent of gas gangrene due to its ability to produce gas and toxins in anaerobic conditions. Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, and Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, not gas gangrene. Clostridium perfringens stands out as the correct choice based on its specific association with gas gangrene and its pathogenic mechanisms.

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: A

Rationale: The Burri-Gins staining technique is used to identify capsule formation in bacteria. Capsules are protective layers around bacteria that can be visualized using this staining method. Capsules are important virulence factors for pathogens like Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. This technique helps in differentiating encapsulated bacteria from non-encapsulated ones. Spore formation (B), acid resistance (C), and alkali resistance (D) are not properties that can be identified using the Burri-Gins technique, making them incorrect choices.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: BCG vaccine. Step 1: BCG vaccine is specifically designed to protect against tuberculosis, making it the appropriate choice for newborns. Step 2: STI vaccine is for sexually transmitted infections, not tuberculosis. Step 3: EV vaccine is not a recognized vaccine. Step 4: DPT vaccine protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, not tuberculosis. In summary, BCG vaccine is the correct choice as it targets tuberculosis specifically, while the other options are designed for different purposes.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Granulomatosis. The appearance of a 10 mm papule 48 hours after the Mantoux test indicates a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, which is characteristic of granulomatosis. This type of reaction involves activation of macrophages and T cells, leading to the formation of granulomas. Granulomas are organized collections of immune cells that wall off the antigen, in this case, the tuberculin antigen. A, B, and C are incorrect: A: Cellular cytotoxicity involves the destruction of target cells by immune cells such as cytotoxic T cells or natural killer cells. This mechanism is not associated with the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction seen in granulomatosis. B: Anaphylaxis is a rapid and severe allergic reaction involving IgE-mediated release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators. This is not the mechanism underlying the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in the Mantoux test. C: Antibody-dependent cytotoxic