Diagnostic Microbiology Practice Questions

Q: Which test is most specific for active treponemal infection?

Dark field microscopy. ***Dark field microscopy*** - Directly visualizes **live *Treponema pallidum* spirochetes** from active lesions (chancres, condyloma lata) - Most specific test for **active treponemal infection** as it demonstrates the **presence of viable organisms** - Gold standard for early primary syphilis when active lesions are present - Requires active lesion and skilled microscopy, but provides immediate diagnosis of active infection *FTA-ABS* - Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption test detects **antibodies** to *Treponema pallidum* - Highly specific for treponemal infection but remains **positive for life** after infection - Cannot distinguish between **active and past infection** - unsuitable for diagnosing active disease - Confirmatory test for treponemal exposure, not active infection *RPR* - Rapid Plasma Reagin is a **non-treponemal test** detecting antibodies to cardiolipin - Useful for screening and monitoring treatment response (titers decline with treatment) - **Not specific** to *Treponema pallidum* - false positives occur in other conditions - Cannot definitively diagnose treponemal infection *VDRL* - Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test is another **non-treponemal test** detecting anticardiolipin antibodies - Used for screening and CSF testing in neurosyphilis - **Not specific** to treponemal infection - false positives common - Less specific than treponemal tests for confirming syphilis

Q: All of the following are true about prozone phenomenon in syphilis EXCEPT:

Results in false positive VDRL. ***Results in false positive VDRL*** - The **prozone phenomenon** occurs due to an **excess of antibodies** which prevents the formation of antigen-antibody complexes, leading to a **false negative result** in non-treponemal tests like VDRL, not a false positive. - In a false positive, the test incorrectly indicates the presence of syphilis when the person does not have the infection, which is not the mechanism of the prozone phenomenon. *Can occur in HIV co-infection* - The prozone phenomenon is more common in individuals with **higher antibody titers**, which can be seen in patients with **HIV co-infection** due to altered immune responses. - This heightened immune response can lead to a significant overproduction of antibodies, contributing to the prozone effect. *Can be overcome by serum dilution* - Diluting the patient's serum reduces the concentration of antibodies, allowing for the optimal **antigen-antibody ratio** needed for agglutination to occur. - This process helps eliminate the excess antibody that interferes with visible flocculation, thereby revealing the true positive result. *More common in secondary syphilis* - Patients in the **secondary stage of syphilis** typically have very high levels of circulating antibodies against *Treponema pallidum*. - This high antibody concentration predisposes them to the prozone phenomenon in non-treponemal tests like VDRL and RPR.

Q: Which of the following is the BEST method for diagnosis of C. difficile infection?

Toxin gene detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ***Toxin gene detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)*** - **Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT/PCR)** for toxin genes (tcdA and tcdB) have the **highest sensitivity and specificity** among single-test methods, making them the preferred standalone diagnostic test. - Provides **rapid results** (2-4 hours), allowing for timely diagnosis and management of **Clostridioides difficile infection** (CDI). - **Clinical note:** While NAAT is highly sensitive, guidelines recommend **two-step algorithms** (GDH or NAAT + toxin EIA) to distinguish colonization from active infection in certain clinical settings. *Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)* - **ELISA** for toxins A and B has **moderate specificity** but **lower sensitivity** (70-85%) compared to NAAT, potentially missing cases with lower toxin levels. - While it detects actual toxin production, the sensitivity limitation makes it suboptimal as a standalone test. *Culture* - **Culture** can detect the presence of *C. difficile* organism but **does not confirm toxin production**, meaning colonization cannot be distinguished from active disease without additional testing. - It is **time-consuming** (2-5 days), which delays diagnosis and treatment. - Useful for **epidemiological studies and strain typing** but not for routine diagnosis. *Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) antigen detection* - **GDH detection** is highly sensitive (>95%) for the presence of *C. difficile* organism, but has **low specificity** as it detects both toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains. - Best used as a **screening test** in two-step algorithms; a **positive GDH test must be confirmed** with toxin detection (EIA or NAAT).

Q: Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assay in urine is used for screening of:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ***Mycobacterium tuberculosis*** - The **lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assay** detects a specific cell wall component of **Mycobacterium tuberculosis** in urine. - It is particularly useful for rapid diagnosis of **active tuberculosis**, especially in immunocompromised patients like those with HIV. *Histoplasma capsulatum* - **Histoplasma capsulatum** is a fungus, and its detection typically involves **antigen assays** in urine or serum, or fungal cultures. - LAM assay is not used for the diagnosis of **histoplasmosis**. *Pneumocystis jirovecii* - **Pneumocystis jirovecii** causes **Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)**, primarily in immunocompromised individuals. - Diagnosis is typically made by **microscopic examination** of respiratory secretions for the organism or **PCR**. *Cryptococcus neoformans* - **Cryptococcus neoformans** is a fungus that causes **cryptococcosis**, often manifesting as meningoencephalitis. - Diagnosis involves detection of **cryptococcal capsular antigen** in serum or cerebrospinal fluid, or culture.

Q: In which of the following conditions is viral load testing done by Real Time PCR of no role in investigative procedures?

HSV causing temporal encephalitis. ***HSV causing temporal encephalitis*** - While **HSV PCR is crucial for diagnosing HSV encephalitis** from **cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)**, **quantitative viral load testing** does not guide clinical management or predict outcomes. - The key distinction: **qualitative PCR (detecting presence of HSV DNA)** is essential for diagnosis, but **viral load quantification** has no established role in treatment monitoring or prognostication. - The focus is on confirming HSV DNA presence to initiate **antiviral therapy (Acyclovir)**, not on serial viral load measurements for treatment efficacy. *Person with hepatitis B on Tenofovir therapy* - **HBV viral load testing** via **Real-Time PCR** is **absolutely essential** for monitoring the effectiveness of antiviral therapy like Tenofovir and detecting **drug resistance**. - **Quantitative monitoring** is crucial: decreasing HBV DNA levels indicate treatment response, while persistently high levels suggest resistance or non-adherence. - Viral load determines treatment duration and endpoints. *CMV PCR in blood of patient of liver transplant* - **CMV viral load monitoring** by **Real-Time PCR** in blood is **critical** in transplant recipients to detect **CMV reactivation** and guide pre-emptive antiviral therapy. - **Quantitative thresholds** are used to decide when to initiate treatment and assess treatment response. - Rising viral loads indicate need for intervention to prevent severe CMV disease. *BK virus in patient of allograft renal transplant* - **BK virus (BKV) PCR** in plasma or urine is **vital** for detecting **BKV reactivation** and monitoring **BKV nephropathy** in renal transplant recipients. - **Serial viral load measurements** prompt reduction in immunosuppression when levels rise, preventing allograft dysfunction or loss. - Quantitative monitoring is the standard of care for BKV management.

Q: Diagnosis of C. difficile infection is made by which of the following methods?

Toxin gene detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ***Toxin gene detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)*** - **PCR for toxin genes (tcdA and tcdB)** is the most sensitive and specific method for diagnosing **Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI)**, directly detecting the genetic material responsible for the pathology. - This method is superior because it identifies the presence of toxigenic C. difficile, which is crucial for determining clinical significance and guiding treatment. *Stool microscopy for pseudomembranes* - While **pseudomembranes** are a hallmark of severe CDI, their detection requires **endoscopy** and is not a direct diagnostic test for the pathogen itself. - Furthermore, their absence does not rule out CDI, as pseudomembranes may not form in all cases, especially milder ones. *Culture* - **Culture for C. difficile** can identify the presence of the organism, but it does not differentiate between toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains. - Many individuals can be **colonized with non-toxigenic C. difficile** without having an active infection, leading to false positives if culture alone is used for diagnosis. *Enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)* - ELISA tests primarily detect **C. difficile toxins A and B** or **glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)** antigen in stool. - While rapid, ELISA for toxins A/B has **lower sensitivity** than PCR, potentially missing cases, and GDH detection alone only indicates the presence of C. difficile (toxigenic or non-toxigenic), requiring further toxin testing for confirmation.

Q: A child presented with microcephaly, hepatomegaly and periventricular calcification. What is the best specimen for diagnosis of CMV by PCR?

Urine. ***Urine*** - **Urine** is the most sensitive and commonly used specimen for diagnosing **congenital CMV infection** via PCR, especially in neonates, due to high viral shedding in urine. - A positive urine CMV PCR within the first 2-3 weeks of life is highly indicative of **congenital CMV**, which can cause symptoms like **microcephaly**, **hepatomegaly**, and **periventricular calcifications**. *CSF* - While CMV can be detected in **CSF** in congenital infections, particularly in symptomatic cases with neurological involvement, it is less sensitive than urine for initial diagnosis. - **CSF PCR** is typically reserved for evaluating central nervous system involvement and may not detect systemic infection as reliably as urine. *Blood* - **Blood PCR** for CMV can be positive in congenital infection, but it can also be positive in postnatal CMV acquisition or maternal viremia without congenital transmission. - The presence of viral DNA in blood is transient, and its sensitivity for diagnosing congenital infection is generally lower than that of urine. *Liver biopsy* - **Liver biopsy** is an invasive procedure and is not the primary diagnostic method for CMV infection, although histological examination can reveal characteristic viral inclusions if there is significant hepatic involvement. - It carries risks and is typically performed only when other diagnostic methods are inconclusive or when assessing the extent of liver damage.

Q: 1-3 beta-d-glucan assay is done for which infection?

Invasive candidiasis. ***Invasive candidiasis*** - The **1-3 beta-D-glucan assay** detects a component of the cell wall of many fungi, including **Candida** species, making it useful for diagnosing invasive candidiasis. - Elevated levels in a patient with risk factors for fungal infection can indicate an active **candidal infection**. *Penicillium* - While **Penicillium** is a fungus, specific antigens or metabolic products differentiate its infection from others. - Diagnosis of **penicilliosis** often relies on culture or molecular methods rather than the 1-3 beta-D-glucan assay, which has broader utility. *Cryptococcus* - **Cryptococcus neoformans** has a polysaccharide capsule that is the target of specific antigen tests, particularly the **cryptococcal antigen test (CrAg)**. - The cell wall of Cryptococcus contains very little **beta-D-glucan**, making the assay less sensitive for cryptococcal infections. *Rhinocerebral mucormycosis* - **Mucormycosis** is caused by fungi belonging to the order Mucorales, whose cell walls contain very little **beta-D-glucan**. - The 1-3 beta-D-glucan assay is generally **not positive** in cases of mucormycosis, making it a poor diagnostic tool for this infection.

Q: Giemsa stained smear cannot detect:

Coxiella burnetii. ***Coxiella burnetii*** - **Coxiella burnetii** is an **obligate intracellular bacterium** that **does not stain well with Giemsa stain**. - It is typically detected using specific immunofluorescence assays or molecular methods like PCR. *Bartonella* - **Bartonella species** are **Gram-negative bacteria** that can be visualized using Giemsa stain, especially in tissue sections or smears from infected patients. - They are known to cause diseases like **cat scratch disease** and **bacillary angiomatosis**. *E. chaffeensis* - **Ehlichia chaffeensis** is an **obligate intracellular bacterium** that infects monocytes and can form characteristic intracellular inclusions called **morulae**, which are visible with Giemsa stain. - This bacterium causes **human monocytic ehrlichiosis**. *Toxoplasmosis* - **Toxoplasma gondii** is an **obligate intracellular protozoan parasite** whose **tachyzoites** and **cyst forms** can be identified in tissue and fluid smears stained with Giemsa stain. - Detection with Giemsa staining is a common method for diagnosing **toxoplasmosis**.

Question 1

Which test is most specific for active treponemal infection?

Accepted Answer

Dark field microscopy

Answer

VDRL

Answer

FTA-ABS

Answer

RPR

Question 2

All of the following are true about prozone phenomenon in syphilis EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Results in false positive VDRL

Answer

Can occur in HIV co-infection

Answer

Can be overcome by serum dilution

Answer

More common in secondary syphilis

Question 3

Which of the following is TRUE about biological false positive VDRL test?

Accepted Answer

Treponemal tests are negative in biological false positives.

Answer

More common in chronic conditions

Answer

Commonly seen in leprosy

Answer

Usually high titers (>1:16)

Question 4

Which of the following is the BEST method for diagnosis of C. difficile infection?

Accepted Answer

Toxin gene detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Answer

Culture

Answer

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) antigen detection

Question 5

Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assay in urine is used for screening of:

Accepted Answer

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Answer

Histoplasma capsulatum

Answer

Pneumocystis jirovecii

Answer

Cryptococcus neoformans

Question 6

In which of the following conditions is viral load testing done by Real Time PCR of no role in investigative procedures?

Accepted Answer

HSV causing temporal encephalitis

Answer

Person with hepatitis B on Tenofovir therapy

Answer

CMV PCR in blood of patient of liver transplant

Answer

BK virus in patient of allograft renal transplant

Question 7

Diagnosis of C. difficile infection is made by which of the following methods?

Accepted Answer

Toxin gene detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer

Stool microscopy for pseudomembranes

Answer

Culture

Answer

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Question 8

A child presented with microcephaly, hepatomegaly and periventricular calcification. What is the best specimen for diagnosis of CMV by PCR?

Accepted Answer

Urine

Answer

CSF

Answer

Blood

Answer

Liver biopsy

Question 9

1-3 beta-d-glucan assay is done for which infection?

Accepted Answer

Invasive candidiasis

Answer

Penicillium

Answer

Cryptococcus

Answer

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis

Question 10

Giemsa stained smear cannot detect:

Accepted Answer

Coxiella burnetii

Answer

Bartonella

Answer

E. chaffeensis

Answer

Toxoplasmosis

Diagnostic Microbiology — MCQs

Diagnostic Microbiology — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?