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Question

Difficulty: MediumHuman Physiology, Health, and Diseases

In public health and epidemiology, infectious human diseases are categorized by the biological nature of their causative agents to determine appropriate clinical treatments and preventive measures. Which of the following human diseases is caused by a bacterial pathogen?

  1. DiphtheriaAnswer
  2. B
    Rabies
  3. C
    Sleeping sickness
  4. D
    Athlete's foot

Answer

Diphtheria is caused by a bacterial pathogen (Corynebacterium diphtheriae).
Diphtheria is a serious contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produces an exotoxin responsible for forming a characteristic pseudomembrane in the throat.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the causative organism for each disease option listed.
Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae (bacterium); Rabies is caused by Rabies virus (virus); Sleeping sickness is caused by Trypanosoma brucei (protozoan); Athlete's foot is caused by Trichophyton species (fungus).
Classifying pathogens by biological kingdom/type determines the mechanism of infection and appropriate medical intervention.
2
Select the disease that corresponds strictly to a bacterial etiology.
Diphtheria is the only disease in the list caused by a bacterium.
Antibiotics are effective against bacterial pathogens like Corynebacterium diphtheriae, whereas viral, protozoan, and fungal infections require distinct therapeutic agents.

Key Concept

Pathogen Etiology of Infectious Human Diseases
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Human Physiology, Health, and Diseases

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