Which bacteria is a common cause of bacterial meningitis?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae are all common causes of bacterial meningitis. Neisseria meningitidis is often associated with outbreaks in community settings. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. Haemophilus influenzae used to be a common cause in children before the introduction of the Hib vaccine. Therefore, since all three bacteria are known to cause bacterial meningitis, the correct answer is D. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each bacteria individually can cause bacterial meningitis, making "All of the above" the correct comprehensive answer.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Gram-positive cocci in clusters suggest Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. 2. Catalase-positive and coagulase-positive narrow it down to Staphylococcus. 3. Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and coagulase-positive. Therefore, the likely causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus. Summary: A: Correct - Staphylococcus aureus fits all the characteristics. B: Incorrect - Staphylococcus epidermidis is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative. C: Incorrect - Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative. D: Incorrect - Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clostridium tetani. This bacterium produces tetanospasmin toxin, causing tetanus. Clostridium botulinum (choice A) produces botulinum toxin, leading to botulism. Bacillus anthracis (choice C) causes anthrax, not tetanus. Staphylococcus aureus (choice D) can cause various infections, but not tetanus. Therefore, only Clostridium tetani is the causative agent of tetanus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Peptidoglycan. Bacterial cell walls are composed of peptidoglycan, a unique macromolecule consisting of sugars and amino acids. This structure provides rigidity and protection to the cell. Lipopolysaccharides are found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, not in the cell wall. Phospholipids are the main components of cell membranes, not cell walls. Chitin is a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and some algae, not bacteria.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Giardia lamblia. Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan with two nuclei, known as the "falling leaf" appearance. It causes diarrhea in humans through ingestion of contaminated water or food. Entamoeba histolytica causes amoebic dysentery, characterized by bloody diarrhea and colitis. Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted protozoan causing vaginal discharge but is not found in stool. Balantidium coli is a ciliated protozoan causing diarrhea but does not have flagellated forms.