Which organism is associated with both mercury droplet colony morphology and the agent of pertussis?

Which organism is associated with both mercury droplet colony morphology and the agent of pertussis?

• A. Bordetella pertussis
• B. Burkholderia cepacia
• C. Campylobacter jejuni
• D. Yersinia pestis

Answer: (A)

Mercury droplet colonies are a classic description used for Bordetella pertussis, the organism that causes pertussis. On selective media like Bordet-Gengou or charcoal-based media, Bordetella pertussis forms tiny, shiny, translucent colonies with a glassy, mercury-like appearance, hence the name. Since the question pairs this colony morphology with the agent of pertussis, Bordetella pertussis is the best fit because it matches both clues. The other organisms mentioned are linked to different diseases and have distinct colony appearances, so they don’t exhibit the mercury droplet morphology or pertussis etiology.

Mercury droplet colonies are a classic description used for Bordetella pertussis, the organism that causes pertussis. On selective media like Bordet-Gengou or charcoal-based media, Bordetella pertussis forms tiny, shiny, translucent colonies with a glassy, mercury-like appearance, hence the name. Since the question pairs this colony morphology with the agent of pertussis, Bordetella pertussis is the best fit because it matches both clues. The other organisms mentioned are linked to different diseases and have distinct colony appearances, so they don’t exhibit the mercury droplet morphology or pertussis etiology.