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: Acyclovir is the correct answer because it is an antiviral drug used to treat herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses, not influenza. Tamiflu, Amantadine, and Relenza are used to treat influenza by inhibiting viral replication or easing symptoms. Acyclovir's mechanism of action targets different viruses, making it ineffective for treating influenza.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Acid-fast stain. This stain is used for diagnosing tuberculosis due to the unique cell wall composition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which resists decolorization by acid-alcohol. This allows the bacteria to retain the primary stain (carbol fuchsin) and appear red under a microscope. Gram stain (B) is not suitable for Mycobacterium tuberculosis as it is gram-positive but does not retain the crystal violet-iodine complex. Negative stain (C) is not used for bacterial identification. Simple stain (D) does not differentiate acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: ELISA, Western blot. These tests are commonly used for diagnosing Lyme borreliosis due to their high sensitivity and specificity in detecting antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent. ELISA is the initial screening test, while Western blot is used for confirmation. Widal agglutination test (A) is used for diagnosing typhoid fever, not Lyme disease. Cultivation on blood and chocolate agar (B) is not commonly used for diagnosing Lyme borreliosis as Borrelia species are difficult to culture. Ascoli thermoprecipitation test (D) is used for diagnosing pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, not Lyme disease.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: EBV. Osteomyelitis is primarily caused by bacteria, not viruses like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The main pathogens involved in osteomyelitis are typically Staphylococcus aureus, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. EBV is not a causative agent of osteomyelitis. It is crucial to differentiate between bacterial and viral etiologies in infectious diseases to guide appropriate treatment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Escherichia coli. E. coli typically produces red colonies on Endo agar due to its ability to ferment lactose. This results in the production of acid, causing the colonies to appear red. Salmonella and Shigella are non-lactose fermenters, so they would appear colorless or transparent on Endo agar. Proteus vulgaris is not commonly associated with red colonies on Endo agar. Therefore, based on the characteristic lactose fermentation pattern, E. coli is the most likely microorganism in this scenario.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Escherichia coli can all cause pneumonia, but through different mechanisms. S. pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, M. tuberculosis can lead to tuberculosis-related pneumonia, and E. coli can cause pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, all three bacteria can be responsible for causing pneumonia, making option D the correct choice. Option A, Streptococcus pneumoniae, is correct but does not cover all possible causes of pneumonia. Option B, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is too specific and does not include other common causes. Option C, Escherichia coli, is also a possible cause of pneumonia but does not account for all potential pathogens.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: placenta. The placenta is a highly specialized structure that forms during pregnancy and serves as a barrier, protecting the fetus from harmful microorganisms that could potentially harm the developing baby. It facilitates the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste between the mother and fetus while preventing the passage of most bacteria and viruses. The uterus (A) is the organ where the fetus develops, but it does not have the specific protective functions of the placenta. The vagina (C) is the birth canal and does not provide protection from microorganisms for the fetus. The mammary gland (D) is responsible for producing milk after birth and is not directly involved in protecting the fetus from microorganisms during pregnancy.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Up to 3 months. Hepatitis B has an average incubation period of 60-90 days, which aligns with the timeframe of up to 3 months. This period refers to the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms. One week to 10 days (choice A) is too short for hepatitis B, as it typically takes longer to manifest. One month to 45 days (choice B) is also shorter than the average incubation period for hepatitis B. Up to 6 months (choice D) is too long for hepatitis B, as the virus typically shows symptoms within 3 months.