A Previously Healthy 24-Year-Old Man Is Hospitalized Due to 3

A previously healthy 24-year-old man is hospitalized due to 3 days of fever, chills, myalgia, and severe headache.  The symptoms started on the last day of his camping trip in the Appalachian Mountains and have rapidly progressed.  Temperature is 38.9 C (102 F) , blood pressure is 100/56 mm Hg, and pulse is 120/min.  On examination, the patient is lethargic and confused.  There is no neck rigidity.  The lungs are clear on auscultation and heart sounds are normal.  The abdomen is soft and nontender.  There is a prominent erythematous maculopapular rash on the distal forearms.  No lymphadenopathy is present.  The patient should be immediately initiated on a medication that targets which of the following?

A) Bacterial DNA unwinding
B) Bacterial folate metabolism
C) Bacterial protein synthesis
D) Fungal ergosterol synthesis
E) Spirochetal cell wall formation
F) Viral reverse transcription

Correct Answer:

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