Which of the following pathogens can cause meningitis?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale for choice C (Strep. pneumoniae): 1. Strep. pneumoniae is a common cause of bacterial meningitis. 2. It is a leading pathogen responsible for meningitis in adults and children. 3. It can invade the bloodstream and reach the meninges, causing inflammation. 4. Treatment guidelines often include antibiotics effective against Strep. pneumoniae. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: A. Staph. aureus is not a common cause of meningitis. B. Strep. pyogenes typically causes streptococcal infections but not meningitis. D. "None of the above" is incorrect as Strep. pneumoniae can cause meningitis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis, as it specifically infects the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body. Mycobacterium leprae (Choice A) causes leprosy, not tuberculosis. Bacillus anthracis (Choice C) causes anthrax, not tuberculosis. Staphylococcus aureus (Choice D) is a common bacterium known for causing skin infections, not tuberculosis. Therefore, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the correct answer for the causative agent of tuberculosis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct serological test for diagnosing toxoplasmosis is the Complement Binding Assay (A) because it detects antibodies specific to the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. This test is highly sensitive and specific for toxoplasmosis. Choice B, Precipitation test, is not used for toxoplasmosis diagnosis but rather for other diseases like syphilis. Choice C, Neutralization test, is not specific for toxoplasmosis and is used for other types of infections. Choice D, Widal's test, is used for diagnosing typhoid fever and is not relevant for toxoplasmosis. In summary, the correct answer (A) is specific to toxoplasmosis, while the other choices are used for different diseases and are not suitable for diagnosing toxoplasmosis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Herpangina. Family Parvoviridae includes Parvovirus B19, which causes Fifth disease, aplastic crisis in chronic anemia, and fetal infections. Herpangina is caused by Enteroviruses, not Parvoviridae. Parvovirus B19 specifically targets erythroid progenitor cells, leading to anemia in susceptible individuals. Fetal infections can result in hydrops fetalis. Aplastic crisis occurs in patients with chronic anemia due to suppression of erythropoiesis by the virus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium is responsible for causing gonorrhea. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract. It is known for causing symptoms such as painful urination and discharge. Chlamydia trachomatis (choice A) is another sexually transmitted bacterium but is not responsible for gonorrhea. Treponema pallidum (choice C) causes syphilis, not gonorrhea. Escherichia coli (choice D) is a common bacterium found in the gut and is not associated with causing gonorrhea. Therefore, Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the correct answer for this question.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium perfringens. Clostridium perfringens is a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus commonly found in soil. It produces hemolysis on blood agar, as described in the question. Clostridium botulinum is also a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus, but it does not typically cause hemolysis. Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive cocci, not a bacillus. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterium, not a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sugar meat pepton broth, sugar meat pepton agar. These nutrient media are optimal for Corynebacterium diphtheriae cultivation due to their ability to support the growth of this bacterium. Sugar meat pepton broth provides a liquid medium with essential nutrients, while sugar meat pepton agar provides a solid surface for bacterial growth and isolation. Incorrect choices: A: Diphtheriae does not require specific conditions for cultivation. C: Salt egg yolk agar is not commonly used for Corynebacterium diphtheriae. D: Endomedium and Ploskirev medium are not standard media for diphtheria testing.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium causes diphtheria, a disease characterized by a pseudomembrane in the throat. This pseudomembrane is a result of the bacterial exotoxins causing inflammation and necrosis of the throat tissues. Clostridium tetani (A) causes tetanus, characterized by muscle stiffness, not a pseudomembrane in the throat. Bordetella pertussis (B) causes whooping cough, with symptoms of severe coughing fits but no pseudomembrane. Streptococcus pyogenes (D) causes strep throat, but does not produce a pseudomembrane.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thayer-Martin agar. This selective media contains antibiotics that inhibit the growth of other organisms while allowing Neisseria gonorrhoeae to grow. The antibiotics in Thayer-Martin agar include vancomycin, colistin, nystatin, and trimethoprim, which target different types of bacteria, ensuring the isolation of N. gonorrhoeae. Phenylethyl alcohol agar (A) is used to isolate gram-positive organisms, not N. gonorrhoeae. MacConkey agar (C) is selective for gram-negative enteric bacteria. Mannitol salt agar (D) is used for isolating Staphylococcus species based on their ability to ferment mannitol.