Which one is true about sexually transmitted infections?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because a soft chancre is a type of sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi. It presents as a painless ulcer on the genitals. The other choices are incorrect. B is incorrect because STIs can enter the body through various routes, not only the urogenital tract mucosa. C is incorrect because immunity to syphilis is not lifelong; reinfection is possible. D is incorrect because STIs can occur in any country regardless of social status or hygiene levels.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Acid resistance. The Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique is specifically used to detect acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is resistant to acid decolorization. This property allows the tuberculosis bacillus to retain the stain even after exposure to acid-alcohol, appearing red under the microscope. Explanation of incorrect choices: B: Alkali resistance - This property is not relevant in the context of Ziehl-Neelsen staining for acid-fast bacteria. C: Alcohol resistance - While alcohol resistance is related to acid-fastness, it is not the specific property highlighted by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. D: Capsule formation - Capsule formation is a different characteristic and not directly related to the staining behavior of acid-fast bacteria in the Ziehl-Neelsen technique.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Monotrichous means having a single flagellum at one end. 2. The term "polar" indicates that the flagellum is located at one end of the bacterium. 3. Therefore, bacteria with a single polar flagellum are referred to as monotrichous. 4. Choice A is a typo, as it is the same as the correct answer B. Summary: - Choice A is a typo, as it duplicates the correct answer. - Choice C, amphitrichous, refers to bacteria with a flagellum at each end. - Choice D, peritrichous, describes bacteria with flagella distributed over the entire surface.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This enzyme is required for replicating viral RNA due to its ability to catalyze the synthesis of RNA using an RNA template. Reverse transcriptase (A) is used to transcribe RNA into DNA, not replicate viral RNA. DNA polymerase (B) is used for replicating DNA, not RNA. Ligase (D) is involved in joining DNA fragments, not in replicating viral RNA. Therefore, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is the only enzyme that specifically performs the function required for replicating viral RNA.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because hospital-acquired infections can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including opportunistic pathogens and obligate pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. Opportunistic microorganisms take advantage of weakened immune systems in hospital patients, while obligate pathogens are capable of causing infections in healthy individuals. Therefore, all the choices are correct in this context as they represent potential etiological causes of hospital-acquired infections.

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: Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis is the causative agent of plague, characterized by fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and bacteremia. The bipolar-staining, Gram-negative rods seen on Gram stain are typical of Y. pestis. Incorrect choices: B: Francisella tularensis causes tularemia, not plague. C: Brucella abortus causes brucellosis, not plague. D: Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, not plague. In summary, the key features of the patient's presentation and the Gram stain findings align with Yersinia pestis as the correct causative agent of plague.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Subcutaneous mycoses are fungal infections that affect the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and bones. The correct answer is A: tropics, as these infections are more commonly found in warm and humid regions. Fungi that cause subcutaneous mycoses thrive in tropical climates due to the favorable conditions for their growth and transmission. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because deserts (B) have dry conditions not conducive to fungal growth, forests of the Northern Hemisphere (C) have varying climates that may not support the specific fungi causing subcutaneous mycoses, and the Rocky Mountains (D) are not typically associated with the high humidity required for these infections.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: lyases. Lyases are enzymes that catalyze the breaking of chemical bonds without the addition of water. They can remove functional groups from substrates or add functional groups to double bonds without the use of water. A: Oxidoreductases involve the transfer of electrons. B: Transferases transfer functional groups from one molecule to another. C: Hydrolases catalyze the breaking of bonds by adding water.