Which of the following diseases is transmitted by the fecal–oral route?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcers are commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route. This means that the bacteria from infected feces can be ingested through contaminated food or water, leading to the development of peptic ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. Incorrect choices: A: Ehrlichiosis - Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, not through the fecal-oral route. C: Lyme disease - Lyme disease is also transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, specifically the black-legged tick. D: Tularemia - Tularemia is a bacterial disease typically transmitted through insect bites, handling of infected animals, or ingestion of contaminated water, not through the fecal-oral route.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: The described attributes match those of Balantidium. The presence of cilia, oval shape with a narrowed front and wide back end, visible mouth, two nucleuses, and short vacuoles are all characteristic features of Balantidium. Balantidium is a ciliated protozoan parasite commonly found in the human intestine. The other choices can be eliminated based on specific characteristics: Lamblia lacks cilia and has a different shape, Dysenteric amoeba typically has a single nucleus, and Trichomonas does not have cilia or multiple nuclei. Therefore, based on the specific attributes described, the correct answer is Balantidium (Choice A).

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Movement of the bacterial cell. Bacterial flagella are whip-like appendages that enable bacteria to move towards nutrients or away from harmful substances. This movement is essential for survival, dispersal, and colonization. Choice A is incorrect because attachment is primarily mediated by other structures like pili. Choice C is incorrect as protein synthesis occurs inside the cell and is not directly related to flagella. Choice D is incorrect as nutrient absorption is typically carried out through specific channels or transport systems, not by flagella.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Homemade canned meat. Botulism is caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which thrives in low-oxygen environments like improperly canned food. Homemade canned meat poses a higher risk of contamination as it may not have been processed correctly, allowing the bacteria to grow and produce toxins. Custard pastry, sour cream, and strawberries are less likely to cause botulism as they are not typically associated with the bacteria unless improperly handled or stored. Homemade canned meat is the most probable cause based on the characteristic symptoms of botulism and the conditions that favor the growth of Clostridium botulinum in canned food.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kitt-Tarozzi medium. This medium is specifically designed to culture Clostridium species, the causative agents of gas gangrene. Clostridium species are gram-positive bacilli that produce gas during their metabolism. Inoculating the material into Kitt-Tarozzi medium allows for the selective growth of Clostridium species, aiding in the confirmation of a gas gangrene diagnosis. Other choices are incorrect: B: Endo agar is used for the isolation of gram-negative enteric bacteria. C: Meat-peptone agar is a general-purpose medium and not specific for Clostridium species. D: Levine agar is used for the isolation of Salmonella and Shigella species, not Clostridium.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Transcription. Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template. During transcription, RNA polymerase binds to the DNA and produces a complementary RNA strand. This process is essential for gene expression. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: A: Transposition involves the movement of genetic elements within a genome, not the production of RNA from DNA. B: Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA, not the production of RNA from DNA. D: RNA splicing is the process of removing introns and joining exons in pre-mRNA to produce mature mRNA, not the initial production of RNA from DNA.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vibrio cholerae. This bacterium produces the cholera toxin, an enterotoxin that causes profuse watery diarrhea by disrupting the normal function of the intestines. Vibrio cholerae is specifically known for causing cholera, a severe diarrheal disease. Clostridium botulinum (B) produces botulinum toxin, causing botulism (paralysis, not diarrhea). Escherichia coli (C) can produce enterotoxins, but the question specifies a specific enterotoxin causing diarrhea, which is not a characteristic of all strains of E. coli. Streptococcus pneumoniae (D) is a common cause of respiratory infections but does not produce an enterotoxin causing diarrhea.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Peritoneum. Normal flora refers to the microorganisms that naturally inhabit the human body without causing harm. The peritoneum is a sterile area, so it does not harbor normal flora. The urethra, vagina, and mouth all have normal flora due to their moist and warm environments, which provide an ideal habitat for microorganisms to thrive. The peritoneum, being a sterile cavity that houses organs like the stomach and intestines, does not have a natural microbial population like the other areas mentioned. Therefore, it does not contain normal flora.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is a common causative agent of skin infections like carbuncles. Staphylococcus aureus is known for its ability to produce pus-filled abscesses, which aligns with the symptoms described in the question. The presence of a vesicular rash around the carbuncle further supports this diagnosis, as Staphylococcus aureus can cause skin lesions. The other choices are not correct because: A: Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, which presents with different symptoms such as fever, malaise, and respiratory symptoms. C: Bacillus subtilis is a harmless soil bacterium commonly used in research and not known to cause skin infections. D: Bacillus anthracoides is not a known pathogen and is not associated with human infections.