Which of the following bacteria is associated with Lyme disease?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is associated with Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness. Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. It causes a range of symptoms, including fever, rash, joint pain, and neurological problems. Summary: B: Clostridium botulinum is associated with botulism, a serious illness caused by a toxin produced by this bacterium. C: Escherichia coli is a common bacterium found in the intestines of humans and animals, some strains can cause food poisoning. D: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium that can cause pneumonia and other respiratory infections, but not Lyme disease.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: endemic. Endemic refers to a disease that is consistently present in a particular population or region at a relatively stable level. This means the disease is always present in that specific area. Pandemic (A) refers to a disease that spreads across multiple countries or continents. Epidemic (B) refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population. Sporadic (C) refers to occasional cases of a disease occurring irregularly in a population. Therefore, the correct choice is D as it specifically describes a disease that is generally present in a given population.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Salmonella enterica. This is because Salmonella are Gram-negative rods that do not ferment lactose, which fits the description in the question. Additionally, Salmonella is a common cause of severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. Shigella dysenteriae is a Gram-negative rod that also causes severe diarrhea but it does not share the characteristic of not fermenting lactose. Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative rod that does ferment lactose. Proteus vulgaris is also a Gram-negative rod but it is not commonly associated with severe abdominal pain and diarrhea, making it an unlikely causative agent in this scenario.

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: adhesion to surfaces and conjugation. Pili are hair-like structures on the surface of bacteria that help them adhere to surfaces and facilitate the transfer of genetic material during conjugation. This is essential for bacterial survival and reproduction. Choice A is incorrect because protection from desiccation is typically associated with other structures like capsules. Choice B is incorrect as motility in bacteria is usually facilitated by flagella. Choice D is incorrect as spore formation involves the formation of specialized structures, not pili.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gram's staining method. The rationale for this is as follows: Gentian violet and Lugol's solution are used as primary and mordant stains in the Gram's staining method. Spiritus 960 is used as a decolorizer, and water fuchsin is used as a counterstain. This staining method is commonly used in microbiology to differentiate bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on their cell wall characteristics. A: Leffler's staining method is used for the identification of diphtheria bacilli. C: Ziehl-Neelsen's staining method is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. D: Neisser's staining method is used for the identification of Neisseria species. In summary, the use of specific reactives and stainers in the question indicates the application of the Gram's staining method for bacterial differentiation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Yeast-like fungi of Candida genus. Candida is a common cause of oral thrush/stomatitis, characterized by mucosal lesions with white coating. The presence of large oval Gram-positive cells is indicative of Candida species. Actinomycetes (B) are filamentous bacteria and not oval Gram-positive cells. Streptococci (C) are spherical bacteria, not oval, and are not commonly associated with stomatitis. Oral spirochetes (D) are spiral-shaped bacteria and not oval Gram-positive cells typically seen in Candida infections. Thus, A is the correct choice based on the characteristic morphology and clinical presentation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lipopolysaccharides. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are major components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and are known to have endotoxic activity. LPS can trigger a strong immune response leading to inflammation and septic shock. Choice B, Lipoproteins of Braun, are not known to have endotoxic activity. Choice C, Protein A, is a surface protein found in Staphylococcus aureus and is not associated with endotoxic activity. Choice D, None, is incorrect as LPS is indeed a bacterial structure with endotoxic activity.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all the options listed can cause respiratory tract infections. 1. Francisella tularensis can cause pneumonia. 2. Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, a respiratory infection. 3. Coxiella brunetti can lead to Q fever, which affects the respiratory system. Therefore, all choices are correct for causing respiratory tract infections. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they are individual causes of respiratory infections, whereas choice D encompasses all possible causes listed.