Which of the following bacteria produce a neurotoxin that affects the nervous system?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Both Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium tetani produce neurotoxins. Botulinum toxin affects the nervous system by blocking neurotransmitter release, causing paralysis. Tetanus toxin affects the nervous system by interfering with neurotransmitter release, leading to muscle stiffness and spasms. Therefore, Choice C is correct. Choices A and B alone are incorrect because they only mention one of the bacteria that produces a neurotoxin. Choice D is incorrect because both bacteria mentioned in Choices A and B produce neurotoxins.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Staphylococcus epidermidis. This bacterium is a normal skin flora commonly found on human skin. It is part of the skin microbiota and helps protect against pathogenic organisms. Streptococcus pyogenes (A), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (C), and Acinetobacter baumannii (D) are not normal skin flora. Streptococcus pyogenes is a pathogenic bacterium causing various infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen commonly found in water and soil, and Acinetobacter baumannii is associated with healthcare-associated infections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptomycin. Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis that can cause hearing loss as a side effect. It is known to damage the cochlear and vestibular organs in the inner ear. The other choices, B: Isoniazid, C: Rifampicin, and D: Ethionamide, are not associated with causing hearing deterioration as a side effect. Isoniazid can rarely cause peripheral neuropathy, Rifampicin can lead to hepatotoxicity, and Ethionamide may cause gastrointestinal disturbances, but none of these drugs are known to specifically cause hearing loss.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because both Clostridium botulinum and Bacillus anthracis are capable of forming spores to survive in extreme conditions. Clostridium botulinum is known for causing botulism and produces highly heat-resistant spores, while Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax and also forms spores. Choice A is incorrect because only Clostridium botulinum is mentioned, not Bacillus anthracis. Choice B is incorrect because only Bacillus anthracis is mentioned, not Clostridium botulinum. Choice D is incorrect as it states that none of the bacteria can form spores, which is false based on the characteristics of Clostridium botulinum and Bacillus anthracis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Isolation on cell cultures. This method is the gold standard for routine mumps diagnosis as it involves isolating the virus in cell cultures to confirm the presence of the mumps virus. PCR (choice A) is used for detecting viral RNA, not for routine diagnosis. ELISA (choice C) detects antibodies, not the virus itself. Immunofluorescence method (choice D) is used for visualizing viral antigens but is not as reliable as isolating the virus in cell cultures for diagnosis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Facultative anaerobes can switch between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism based on oxygen availability. This flexibility enables them to grow in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments, making choice B correct. Choice A is incorrect because facultative anaerobes do not require oxygen for survival. Choice C is incorrect as obligate anaerobes cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. Choice D is incorrect because obligate anaerobes cannot tolerate any amount of oxygen.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all three bacteria (Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae) are commonly associated with foodborne illnesses. Salmonella causes gastroenteritis, E. coli can lead to severe food poisoning, and Vibrio cholerae causes cholera. Therefore, choosing "All of the above" encompasses the most common bacteria linked to foodborne illnesses. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not cover the full range of bacteria typically involved in foodborne illnesses.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thick gram-positive non-sporeforming bacilli. In botulism, the causative agent, Clostridium botulinum, is a thick gram-positive bacilli that does not form spores. This is a key characteristic morphologic feature. A: Gram-positive spore-forming bacilli with subterminal spore - This is incorrect as Clostridium botulinum does not have subterminal spores. C: Gram-positive spore-forming bacilli with terminal spore - Incorrect because Clostridium botulinum does not form spores. D: Thin mobile spore-forming bacilli with central spore - Incorrect because Clostridium botulinum is not thin, mobile, or spore-forming. In summary, the most characteristic morphologic feature of the botulism agent is being thick, gram-positive, and non-sporeforming, making choice B the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The optochin sensitivity test is used to differentiate Pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) from other streptococci. Optochin sensitivity is a characteristic feature of Pneumococcal, as it inhibits its growth. The test involves placing optochin discs on a culture plate and observing the zone of inhibition around the disc for Pneumococcal. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococci, and Group A streptococci do not exhibit optochin sensitivity, making them incorrect choices. In summary, the optochin sensitivity test is specific to Pneumococcal, making choice B the correct answer.