Which of the following bacteria is responsible for causing the disease known as leprosy?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Mycobacterium leprae is the correct answer because it is the bacterium responsible for causing leprosy. 2. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, not leprosy. 3. Escherichia coli is associated with gastrointestinal infections, not leprosy. 4. Staphylococcus aureus causes various skin infections, but not leprosy. In summary, Mycobacterium leprae is the correct choice because it is the specific bacterium known to cause leprosy, while the other options are associated with different diseases.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Reinfection. This is because the patient fully recovered from the initial syphilis infection after antibiotic therapy, indicating the elimination of the pathogen. Subsequently getting infected again with Treponema pallidum suggests a new exposure to the same pathogen, resulting in a new infection. Recurrence (B) would imply the reactivation of the same infection, which is not the case here. Superinfection (C) refers to a new infection that occurs on top of an existing infection, which is not the scenario described. Secondary infection (D) typically refers to an infection that occurs after an initial infection weakens the immune system, which is not the case in this scenario.

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: 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.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Vaginitis is a common bacterial infection in the female reproductive system. 2. Toxic shock syndrome can be caused by certain bacterial infections. 3. Endometritis is inflammation of the endometrium often due to bacterial infections. 4. Salpingitis is inflammation of the fallopian tubes, commonly caused by bacteria. Summary: - Choice B: Nephritis is a kidney infection, not related to female reproductive system infections. - Choice C: Nephritis and cystitis are not specific to the female reproductive system. - Choice D: Cystitis is a bladder infection, not typically considered part of female reproductive system infections.

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: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Thick peptidoglycan layer. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall, which retains the crystal violet stain during Gram staining. This thick layer is a key characteristic feature that helps differentiate Gram-positive bacteria from Gram-negative bacteria. Rationale: 1. Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet stain due to their thick peptidoglycan layer. 2. This thick layer provides structural support and protection to the cell. 3. Gram-positive bacteria lack an outer membrane, which is a feature of Gram-negative bacteria (Choice A). 4. Thin peptidoglycan layer is a characteristic of Gram-negative bacteria, not Gram-positive (Choice B). 5. Presence of LPS (lipopolysaccharide) is a feature of Gram-negative bacteria, not Gram-positive (Choice D). In summary, the presence of a thick peptidoglycan layer is a characteristic feature of Gram-positive

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: A

Rationale: Step 1: Clostridia of tetanus, botulism, anaerobic gas infection are spore-forming bacteria. Step 2: Spores are resistant structures that allow bacteria to survive in harsh conditions. Step 3: Feces contain these spore-forming bacteria due to contamination. Step 4: When feces are deposited on soil, the spores of these bacteria enter the soil. Step 5: Spores can remain dormant in soil for long periods. Summary: Choice A is correct as spore-forming bacteria enter soil through feces, which act as a source of contamination. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not involve the direct introduction of spores into soil like feces do.