Infectious Diseases Practice Questions

Q: Bloody diarrhea in HIV infected patient is mostly due to ?

CMV. ***CMV*** - **Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis** is a common opportunistic infection in advanced HIV, causing **bloody diarrhea**, abdominal pain, and fever. - CMV infection can lead to **ulcerations** and inflammation of the colonic mucosa, resulting in blood in the stool. *Cryptosporidium* - **Cryptosporidiosis** causes profuse, **watery diarrhea** in HIV patients, not typically bloody [1]. - While it can be severe and persistent, it primarily affects the small intestine, leading to malabsorption. *Isospora* - **Isosporiasis** (caused by *Isospora belli*) primarily presents as **unrelenting watery diarrhea** in immunocompromised individuals [1]. - It affects the small bowel and does not commonly result in bloody stools. *Salmonella* - **Salmonella gastroenteritis** can cause bloody diarrhea, but in HIV patients, it is often associated with **bacteremia** and systemic infection. - While possible, **CMV colitis** is a more classic and frequent cause of bloody diarrhea in advanced HIV in the absence of other focal symptoms.

Q: Which of the following is an ocular complication associated with Zika virus infection?

Eye inflammation. ***Eye inflammation*** - **Ocular manifestations** are recognized complications of **Zika virus infection**, ranging from conjunctivitis to more severe conditions like **uveitis** and **optic neuritis**. - Specifically, **chorioretinal scars** and **optic nerve abnormalities** have been observed in infants with congenital Zika syndrome. *Liver inflammation* - **Hepatitis**, or liver inflammation, is not a common or specific complication directly associated with Zika virus infection. - While some viral infections can affect the liver, **Zika** primarily targets **neural tissues** and has specific ocular and neurological complications. *Heart inflammation* - **Myocarditis**, or heart inflammation, is not a frequently reported or characteristic complication of **Zika virus infection**. - The primary systemic manifestations of **Zika** typically involve **mild fever**, **rash**, **arthralgia**, and **conjunctivitis**, with severe outcomes usually being neurological. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **eye inflammation** is a well-documented and significant ocular complication of **Zika virus infection**. - The virus is known to have **tropism for ocular tissues**, leading to various visual impairments.

Q: Which of the following characteristics does NOT apply to the rash of chickenpox when differentiating it from smallpox?

Deep-seated. ***Deep-seated*** - The rash of chickenpox is typically **superficial**, affecting the epidermis and upper dermis, leading to vesicles that are easily ruptured [1]. - In contrast, a **deep-seated** rash is characteristic of smallpox, where lesions extend into the deeper dermis, giving them a firm, "shotty" feel upon palpation. *Not centripetal* - This statement is generally true for chickenpox; its rash distribution tends to be **centrifugal**, meaning it is more concentrated on the trunk and extremities, sparing the face and distal limbs [1]. - Smallpox, however, is characterized by a **centripetal distribution**, with lesions most concentrated on the face and extremities. *Monomorphic* - This characteristic does NOT apply to chickenpox. Chickenpox exhibits a **pleomorphic rash**, meaning lesions at various stages of development (macules, papules, vesicles, scabs) are present simultaneously [1]. - A **monomorphic rash**, where all lesions are at the same stage of development, is a hallmark of smallpox. *Superficial* - This characteristic **applies** to chickenpox [1]. The lesions are typically superficial, affecting the epidermal layers and leading to a fragile, easily ruptured vesicle. - Smallpox lesions, in contrast, are **deep-seated**, firm, and umbilicated.

Q: A complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is defined as an infection that fails to resolve or recurs within how much time of standard therapy?

2 weeks. **2 weeks** - A complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is defined by its failure to resolve or recurrence within **two weeks** of completing standard antimicrobial therapy [1]. - This time frame is crucial for identifying UTIs that may be associated with **structural or functional abnormalities** of the urinary tract [1]. *1 week* - While recurrence within one week is certainly concerning, the standard definition for a complicated UTI due to treatment failure or recurrence extends to the two-week mark. - Assessing treatment efficacy over one week might be too short to definitively label a UTI as complicated in all cases. *3 weeks* - If a UTI recurs after three weeks, it is often considered a **reinfection** rather than a failure of the initial treatment or an indicator of a complicated UTI from the original episode [1]. - The focus for defining complicated UTI is typically on earlier recurrence or failure to achieve cure within a shorter, defined period. *4 weeks* - Recurrence after four weeks is generally considered a new infection or reinfection, rather than a failure of the initial therapy for a complicated UTI [1]. - The timeframe for classifying a UTI as complicated due to inadequate initial treatment response is specifically within weeks, not months.

Q: Most common mode of spread for genital tuberculosis is?

Hematogenous. ***Hematogenous*** - **Genital tuberculosis** most commonly spreads via the bloodstream from a primary site of infection, typically the **lungs** [2]. - This mode of spread allows the **Mycobacterium tuberculosis** bacilli to reach diverse pelvic organs, establishing secondary foci [2]. *Lymphatic* - While lymphatic spread can occur in tuberculosis, it is less common for disseminating infection to the genital tract compared to the **hematogenous route** [1]. - Lymphatic spread often leads to regional lymph node involvement rather than widespread dissemination to reproductive organs [1]. *Direct* - **Direct spread** from an adjacent organ infected with tuberculosis is rare for genital involvement. - This mode would involve local extension, which is not the primary mechanism for establishing genital tuberculosis. *Ascending* - **Ascending infection** is typically seen in other sexually transmitted infections or bacterial vaginosis, where pathogens move upwards from the lower genital tract. - This is not the characteristic mode of spread for **Mycobacterium tuberculosis** to cause genital tuberculosis.

Q: Most common cause of diarrhea in AIDS patients?

Cryptosporidium. ***Cryptosporidium*** - **Cryptosporidium parvum** is a common opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients, causing chronic, watery diarrhea, especially when the **CD4 count is low** [1]. - This parasite is resistant to routine chlorination, making **waterborne transmission** a significant concern. *Salmonella typhimurium* - While *Salmonella* can cause severe and recurrent gastroenteritis in AIDS patients, it is **not the most common cause** of chronic diarrhea in this population. - Salmonella infections in immunocompromised individuals often disseminate, leading to **bacteremia** beyond just diarrheal symptoms. *Candida* - *Candida albicans* is a common opportunistic pathogen in AIDS, primarily causing **oral candidiasis (thrush)** or esophagitis [2]. - While it can sometimes cause gastrointestinal symptoms, **Candida is not typically a prominent cause of diarrhea** in AIDS patients [2]. *Isospora* - **Isospora belli** is another coccidian parasite that causes chronic diarrhea in AIDS patients, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions [1]. - Although significant, it is **less common overall** compared to *Cryptosporidium* as a primary cause of diarrhea in this population [1].

Q: Which of the following is NOT more commonly seen in Klebsiella Pneumonia compared to Pneumococcal Pneumonia?

Lower lobe involvement. ***Lower lobe involvement*** - **Pneumococcal pneumonia** classically presents with **lobar pneumonia**, often affecting a single lobe, which can be any lobe but frequently involves the lower lobes. - While Klebsiella pneumonia can involve any lobe, the frequency of lower lobe involvement is not definitively higher than in pneumococcal pneumonia, making it a feature not *more* commonly seen in Klebsiella. *Abscess Formation* - **Klebsiella pneumonia** is notoriously associated with **necrosis** and abscess formation within the lung parenchyma due to its highly virulent polysaccharide capsule. - Abscesses are less common in uncomplicated **pneumococcal pneumonia**, which more typically causes lobar consolidation without significant tissue destruction [1]. *Pleural Effusion* - **Klebsiella pneumonia** is well-known for causing severe inflammation and an increased likelihood of developing a **parapneumonic pleural effusion**, often a complicated or empyematous one. - While pleural effusions can occur in pneumococcal pneumonia, they are generally less frequent and less severe than those seen with Klebsiella. *Cavitation* - **Cavitation** (breakdown of lung tissue forming cavities) is a hallmark of severe **Klebsiella pneumonia**, often observed as a consequence of extensive necrosis [1]. - Cavitation is a rare finding in **pneumococcal pneumonia**, which tends to resolve with consolidation rather than destructive changes.

Q: The most common cause of seizures in a patient of AIDS is

Toxoplasmosis. ***Toxoplasmosis*** - **Cerebral toxoplasmosis** is the most common cause of focal neurological deficits and seizures in patients with AIDS [1]. - It typically presents with multiple **ring-enhancing lesions** on MRI, often in the basal ganglia [1]. *Cryptococcal meningitis* - While common in AIDS, **cryptococcal meningitis** primarily causes headache, fever, and altered mental status, but seizures are less frequent. - It is diagnosed by identifying **Cryptococcus neoformans** in CSF. *Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy* - PML is a demyelinating disease caused by the **JC virus** and results in progressive neurological deficits due to white matter lesions [2]. - Seizures can occur, but this condition primarily affects **cognition** and motor function [2]. *CNS lymphoma* - **Primary CNS lymphoma** is another common CNS complication in AIDS, often presenting as a solitary or multiple ring-enhancing lesion [1]. - While it can cause seizures, it is less common than toxoplasmosis as the primary cause of seizures in this population [1].

Q: Most common manifestation of mumps in adult males -

Orchitis. ***Orchitis*** - **Orchitis**, or inflammation of the testicles, is the most common extracranial complication of **mumps** in post-pubertal males. - It occurs in 20-30% of adult males and can lead to **testicular atrophy** and, rarely, infertility. *Aseptic meningitis* - While **aseptic meningitis** is a common complication of **mumps**, occurring in up to 50% of cases, it is often subclinical and less frequently symptomatic than orchitis in adult males. - Symptoms include headache, fever, and neck stiffness, but it's not the most common manifest **symptom** in this demographic. *Encephalitis* - **Encephalitis** is a rarer but more severe complication of **mumps**, characterized by inflammation of the brain tissue. - It presents with altered mental status, seizures, and focal neurological deficits, significantly less common than orchitis. *Sinusitis* - **Sinusitis** is an inflammation of the sinuses, typically caused by bacterial or viral infections, and is **not a recognized complication of mumps**. - It is an unrelated condition and does not manifest as a direct result of mumps virus infection.

Question 1

Bloody diarrhea in HIV infected patient is mostly due to ?

Accepted Answer

CMV

Answer

Cryptosporidium

Answer

Isospora

Answer

Salmonella

Question 2

Which of the following is an ocular complication associated with Zika virus infection?

Accepted Answer

Eye inflammation

Answer

Liver inflammation

Answer

Heart inflammation

Answer

None of the options

Question 3

Which of the following characteristics does NOT apply to the rash of chickenpox when differentiating it from smallpox?

Accepted Answer

Deep-seated

Answer

Not centripetal

Answer

Monomorphic

Answer

Superficial

Question 4

A complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is defined as an infection that fails to resolve or recurs within how much time of standard therapy?

Accepted Answer

2 weeks

Answer

1 week

Answer

3 weeks

Answer

4 weeks

Question 5

Most common mode of spread for genital tuberculosis is?

Accepted Answer

Hematogenous

Answer

Lymphatic

Answer

Direct

Answer

Ascending

Question 6

Which of the following is the PRIMARY risk factor most commonly associated with healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP)?

Accepted Answer

Acute care hospitalization for at least 2 days in the preceding 90 days

Answer

Home infusion therapy

Answer

Immunosuppressive disease or immunosuppressive therapy

Answer

Antibiotic therapy in the preceding 90 days

Question 7

Most common cause of diarrhea in AIDS patients?

Accepted Answer

Cryptosporidium

Answer

Salmonella typhimurium

Answer

Candida

Answer

Isospora

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT more commonly seen in Klebsiella Pneumonia compared to Pneumococcal Pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Lower lobe involvement

Answer

Abscess Formation

Answer

Pleural Effusion

Answer

Cavitation

Question 9

The most common cause of seizures in a patient of AIDS is

Accepted Answer

Toxoplasmosis

Answer

Cryptococcal meningitis

Answer

Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy

Answer

CNS lymphoma

Question 10

Most common manifestation of mumps in adult males -

Accepted Answer

Orchitis

Answer

Aseptic meningitis

Answer

Encephalitis

Answer

Sinusitis

Infectious Diseases — MCQs

Infectious Diseases — MCQs

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