Your patient is a 22-year-old man. The patient reports that two weeks after unprotected sexual contact, a small ulcer appeared on its penis. The local inguinal lymph nodes are enlarged. Dark field microscopic examination of the ulcer secretions was performed. The test reveals presence of motile, curved spirochete. The most common causative agent of the disease is:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Treponema pallidum. The scenario describes symptoms of primary syphilis, which is caused by Treponema pallidum. The presence of a painless ulcer (chancre) and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes are characteristic of syphilis. Dark field microscopic examination showing motile, curved spirochetes is highly specific for Treponema pallidum. Incorrect explanations: A: Chlamydia trachomatis typically causes urethritis or cervicitis, not painless ulcers. C: Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, which presents with purulent discharge, not painless ulcers. D: Herpes simplex virus type 2 causes genital herpes, leading to painful ulcers and vesicles, not painless ulcers seen in syphilis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all the options are essential for a PCR reaction. A: DNA segment is required as the template for amplification. B: Two oligonucleotide primers are needed to initiate DNA replication. C: Heat stable DNA polymerase (not just heat stable DNA) is crucial for withstanding the high temperatures during PCR. In summary, without any of these components, the PCR reaction cannot proceed effectively.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Multiplies by binary fission. Bacterial cells reproduce through binary fission, where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells. This process is essential for bacterial growth and multiplication. A: The oxidative phosphorylation does not take place in the mitochondria of bacterial cells but in the cell membrane. B: Capsules are not organelles but outer protective layers found in some bacterial cells. C: Bacterial cells contain both DNA and RNA, essential for their genetic information and protein synthesis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all measures mentioned are important in preventing hospital-acquired infections. Isolating the source helps prevent the spread of infections. Isolating at-risk patients reduces their exposure. Increasing patient resistance to infections through proper hygiene and immunizations minimizes susceptibility. Each measure plays a crucial role in infection prevention, making all options correct.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: LT enterotoxin. This toxin is specific for Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and is responsible for causing diarrhea by increasing cyclic AMP levels in intestinal cells. TSST-1 (choice A) is produced by Staphylococcus aureus, not ETEC. Shiga-like toxin (choice B) is produced by Shigella and EHEC, not ETEC. Erythrogenic toxin (choice C) is produced by Streptococcus pyogenes, not ETEC. Therefore, the LT enterotoxin is the specific toxin associated with ETEC.