MIC 205 questions with correct answers

A woman aged 29 years and member of an Amish community gave birth to her child at home, assisted by an unlicensed childbirth assistant. At 10 days postpartum, the patient developed numbness in the face and neck pain, leading to a stiff neck and jaw and extreme difficulty swallowing and breathing. Upon admission to the hospital, the patient was administered medication including muscle relaxants, antibodies to fight the suspected microbe, antibiotics, and additionally she required mechanical ventilation. Her infant was closely monitored, as infants are at particular risk for this disease. The clinician suspected and treated the woman for a disease caused by the Gram-positive, rod, spore forming bacterium: Question options: a) Clostridium botulinum b) Clostridium tetani c) Staphylococcus aureus d) Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) CORRECT ANSWER Clostridium tetani A young father observed his infant daughter became lethargic and experience trouble feeding. He became alarmed as the infant became "floppy" and took his daughter to the clinic. Upon questioning, it was revealed that the infant had been fussy and had been given a pacifier coated with honey. The clinician in charge immediately ordered an antitoxin as the infant took a turn for the worse and had to be placed on a ventilator. Stool samples revealed a Gram-positive, rod, spore-forming bacterium. Which microbe do you think the infant was diagnosed and treated for? Question options: