Final answer:
Edema factor and lethal factors are virulence characteristics of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.
Step-by-step explanation:
The edema factor and lethal factors are two characteristics of Bacillus anthracis. These factors are among several virulence factors produced by B. anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax. The edema factor is an adenylate cyclase enzyme that raises cyclic AMP levels in host cells, leading to fluid secretion and tissue swelling (edema).
The lethal factor is a zinc-dependent protease that disrupts cellular signaling, leading to cell death and aiding the spread of the infection within the host. Neither Neisseria gonorrheae, Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis, nor Staphylococcus aureus produce these factors. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is D. Bacillus anthracis.