NEET-PG 2019 - Microbiology PYQs Practice Questions

Q: What is the gold standard microbiological test for diagnosing Leptospira infection?

Microscopic agglutination test (MAT). ***Microscopic agglutination test (MAT)*** - The **Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT)** is considered the **gold standard** for diagnosing leptospirosis due to its high sensitivity and specificity. - It detects **agglutinating antibodies** against live leptospiral serovars, allowing for both diagnosis and serovar identification. *Cold agglutination* - **Cold agglutinins** are antibodies that react with red blood cells at cold temperatures and are typically associated with **Mycoplasma pneumoniae** infections or certain autoimmune conditions. - This test is **not used** for the diagnosis of leptospirosis. *Standard agglutination* - **Standard agglutination tests** involve macroscopic observation of agglutination and are generally less sensitive and specific than microscopic methods. - While agglutination is the principle, the **MAT** specifically refers to the microscopic, highly sensitive method used for Leptospira. *ELISA test* - **ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)** is used for leptospirosis, primarily for screening and detecting **IgM antibodies** in acute infections. - However, it has **lower specificity** and sensitivity compared to MAT, particularly in early stages or for serovar differentiation. [Practice more Microbiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Rubella virus belongs to which family?

Togavirus. ***Togavirus*** - The **Rubella virus** is categorized under the family **Togaviridae**, specifically within the genus *Rubivirus*. - This classification is based on its genetic structure, being an **enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus**. *Rheovirus* - **Reoviruses** are characterized by a **double-stranded segmented RNA genome** and are typically non-enveloped. - This contrasts with Rubella's single-stranded, non-segmented RNA and enveloped structure. *Picornavirus* - **Picornaviruses** are a family of **non-enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses** that are structurally different from Rubella. - Examples include species like **poliovirus** and **rhinovirus**, which do not share the distinct biological properties of Rubella. *Orthomyxovirus* - **Orthomyxoviruses** are a family of **enveloped, negative-sense, segmented RNA viruses**, which includes influenza viruses. - Their genomic organization and replication strategy are fundamentally different from those of the Rubella virus. [Practice more Microbiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which culture media is specifically used for the growth of Legionella?

Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract (BCYE) agar. ***(BCYE) agar media*** - **Buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) agar** is the specific and most widely used culture medium for the isolation and growth of *Legionella* species. - It contains **L-cysteine** and **iron salts**, which are essential growth factors for *Legionella*, along with activated charcoal to neutralize toxic metabolites. *MacConkey agar* - **MacConkey agar** is a selective and differential medium primarily used for the isolation of **Gram-negative enteric bacilli**. - It inhibits the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and differentiates lactose fermenters from non-fermenters. *Baird–Parker agar* - **Baird–Parker agar** is a selective medium specifically designed for the isolation and enumeration of **coagulase-positive staphylococci**, particularly *Staphylococcus aureus*, from food and clinical samples. - It contains tellurite, which is reduced by staphylococci to form black colonies. *Sabouraud’s agar* - **Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA)** is a selective medium primarily used for the cultivation of **fungi** (yeasts and molds). - Its low pH and high dextrose concentration inhibit the growth of most bacteria. [Practice more Microbiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A 36-year-old male patient complaining of cough, cold, fever, and rusty sputum, with a history of travel to China and consumption of crab. Name the infection.

Paragonimus westermani. ***Paragonimus westermani*** - This patient's symptoms of **cough**, **fever**, and **rusty sputum**, combined with a history of **travel to China** and consumption of **crab**, are highly suggestive of **paragonimiasis**. - *Paragonimus westermani* is a **lung fluke** endemic to East Asia, and its larvae are acquired by ingesting undercooked **crabs** or **crayfish**. *Fasciola hepatica* - *Fasciola hepatica* causes **fascioliasis**, primarily affecting the **liver** and **biliary ducts**, leading to symptoms like **fever**, **abdominal pain**, and **hepatomegaly**. - It is acquired by consuming **contaminated watercress** or other aquatic plants, not crabs. *Fasciolopsis buski* - *Fasciolopsis buski* causes **fasciolopsiasis**, an **intestinal fluke infection** presenting with **abdominal pain**, **diarrhea**, and **malabsorption**. - It is transmitted through ingestion of **contaminated aquatic plants**, and does not typically cause respiratory symptoms or "rusty sputum." *Entamoeba histolytica* - *Entamoeba histolytica* is a **protozoan** that causes **amoebiasis**, primarily presenting as **dysentery** or **amoebic liver abscess**. - While it can manifest as fever and liver involvement, it does not cause respiratory symptoms like "rusty sputum" and is not acquired from crabs. [Practice more Microbiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: What is the causative organism for the condition depicted in the image?

Staphylococci. ***Staphylococci*** - The image shows **impetigo** with **crusted lesions**, consistent with **_Staphylococcus aureus_** infection. - **Staphylococcus aureus** is a major causative organism of impetigo, particularly **bullous impetigo**, and commonly produces the characteristic **honey-colored crusts** seen in non-bullous forms as well. - This superficial bacterial skin infection is highly contagious and responds well to topical or systemic antibiotics. *Candidal infection* - **Candidal infections** (e.g., candidiasis) typically present as **erythematous patches** with satellite lesions, or white plaques in mucosal areas, which is not consistent with the image. - This fungal infection is often seen in immunocompromised individuals or in warm, moist skin folds, not as crusted superficial lesions. *Streptococcus* - While **_Streptococcus pyogenes_** can also cause impetigo (especially non-bullous impetigo), the clinical presentation in the image is most consistent with **staphylococcal infection**. - Streptococcal infections may present similarly but can also cause other conditions like cellulitis or erysipelas with distinct features. *Actinomycetes* - **Actinomycosis** is a rare, chronic bacterial infection that forms **abscesses and sinus tracts**, often with "sulfur granules," which is distinct from the superficial skin lesions shown. - This infection usually involves deeper tissues and presents as a chronic, indolent infection, unlike the acute superficial presentation of impetigo. [Practice more Microbiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

What is the gold standard microbiological test for diagnosing Leptospira infection?

Accepted Answer

Microscopic agglutination test (MAT)

Answer

Cold agglutination

Answer

Standard agglutination

Answer

ELISA test

Question 2

Rubella virus belongs to which family?

Accepted Answer

Togavirus

Answer

Orthomyxovirus

Answer

Rheovirus

Answer

Picornavirus

Question 3

Which culture media is specifically used for the growth of Legionella?

Accepted Answer

Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract (BCYE) agar

Answer

MacConkey agar

Answer

Baird–Parker agar

Answer

Sabouraud’s agar

Question 4

A 36-year-old male patient complaining of cough, cold, fever, and rusty sputum, with a history of travel to China and consumption of crab. Name the infection.

Accepted Answer

Paragonimus westermani

Answer

Fasciola hepatica

Answer

Fasciolopsis buski

Answer

Entamoeba histolytica

Question 5

What is the causative organism for the condition depicted in the image?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococci

Answer

Candidal infection

Answer

Streptococcus

Answer

Actinomycetes

Question 6

A 6-year-old boy presents with fever and chills, cough, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. A culture from a respiratory sample shows Gram-positive bacteria. What is the most likely organism causing this infection?

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Streptococcus pyogenes

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Propionibacterium acnes

Question 7

What is the primary method for diagnosing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)

Answer

Sputum microscopy

Answer

Chest X-ray findings

Answer

Serum beta-D-glucan assay

Question 8

MHC II is associated with:-

Accepted Answer

Antigen presenting cells

Answer

Red blood cells

Answer

Platelets

Answer

Epithelial cells

Question 9

Caspase involved in activation of IL-1 is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Caspase 1

Answer

Caspase 5

Answer

Caspase 8

Answer

Caspase 3

Question 10

A 9 years old child presented to OPD with complaints of high grade fever, vomiting, one episode of seizure. CSF examination was done and Gram staining of the culture showed the following finding. What is the probable causative agent?

Accepted Answer

Gram-positive diplococci (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae)

Answer

Gram-negative coccobacilli (e.g., Haemophilus influenzae)

Answer

Gram-negative diplococci (e.g., Neisseria meningitidis)

Answer

Gram-positive cocci in chains (e.g., Streptococcus pyogenes)

NEET-PG 2019 — Microbiology