Question 1

Viral central nervous system infections may result in

Accepted Answer

A)  meningitis. 
B)  encephalitis. 
C)  poliomyelitis. 
D)  rabies. 
E)  All of the choices are correct. 
A)  meningitis. 
B)  encephalitis. 
C)  poliomyelitis. 
D)  rabies. 
E)  All of the choices are correct.

Question 2

The leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adults is

Accepted Answer

A)  Escherichia coli. 
B)  Haemophilus influenzae. 
C)  Streptococcus pneumoniae. 
D)  Neisseria meningitidis. 
E)  Mycoplasma pneumoniae. 
A)  Escherichia coli. 
B)  Haemophilus influenzae. 
C)  Streptococcus pneumoniae. 
D)  Neisseria meningitidis. 
E)  Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Question 3

Why would the Sabin oral polio vaccine need to be eliminated after eradication of the polio virus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Since it is a live, attenuated viral vaccine, there's always the chance it could revert back into a pathogenic state by mutation. This would introduce new strains still capable of causing the illness into human populations, preventing elimination. 
B)  The Sabin vaccine is cheaper than the Salk (killed virus) vaccine, but it isn't as effective at producing a protective response. We'll need to shift to the more effective Salk vaccine worldwide eventually to complete the eradication process. 
C)  The Salk vaccine is far cheaper than the Sabin vaccine. To effectively eradicate polio, we'll need to shift all of our resources into the cheapest and easiest to deliver vaccine possible. That is the Salk vaccine. 
D)  The Sabin vaccine can only be administered to human beings. We need to vaccinate bird populations as well to effectively control the spread of polio. Birds are a natural reservoir for the virus. 
E)  There will be no need to eliminate the polio vaccine after polio virus eradication. Both the Sabin and the Salk vaccines will still be essential. 
A)  Since it is a live, attenuated viral vaccine, there's always the chance it could revert back into a pathogenic state by mutation. This would introduce new strains still capable of causing the illness into human populations, preventing elimination. 
B)  The Sabin vaccine is cheaper than the Salk (killed virus) vaccine, but it isn't as effective at producing a protective response. We'll need to shift to the more effective Salk vaccine worldwide eventually to complete the eradication process. 
C)  The Salk vaccine is far cheaper than the Sabin vaccine. To effectively eradicate polio, we'll need to shift all of our resources into the cheapest and easiest to deliver vaccine possible. That is the Salk vaccine. 
D)  The Sabin vaccine can only be administered to human beings. We need to vaccinate bird populations as well to effectively control the spread of polio. Birds are a natural reservoir for the virus. 
E)  There will be no need to eliminate the polio vaccine after polio virus eradication. Both the Sabin and the Salk vaccines will still be essential.

Question 4

Meningoencephalitis and African sleeping sickness are both caused by protozoans.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

If a person infected with L. monocytogenes develops meningitis, which of the following signs and symptoms would they experience?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fever and muscle aches 
B)  Headache, stiff neck, and vomiting 
C)  Nausea and diarrhea 
D)  Widespread tissue abscesses 
E)  All of these 
A)  Fever and muscle aches 
B)  Headache, stiff neck, and vomiting 
C)  Nausea and diarrhea 
D)  Widespread tissue abscesses 
E)  All of these

Question 6

Which is true of listeriosis?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is a foodborne disease. 
B)  It may result in meningitis. 
C)  It is usually asymptomatic in healthy people. 
D)  It is caused by an organism that can grow at refrigerator temperatures. 
E)  All of the choices are correct. 
A)  It is a foodborne disease. 
B)  It may result in meningitis. 
C)  It is usually asymptomatic in healthy people. 
D)  It is caused by an organism that can grow at refrigerator temperatures. 
E)  All of the choices are correct.

Question 7

Please select the TRUE statement regarding Haemophilus influenzae.

Accepted Answer

A)  It is a virus. 
B)  All strains are encapsulated. 
C)  It frequently causes meningitis in adults. 
D)  Polysaccharide antigen from type b is used in vaccination. 
E)  It is a highly motile spirochete. 
A)  It is a virus. 
B)  All strains are encapsulated. 
C)  It frequently causes meningitis in adults. 
D)  Polysaccharide antigen from type b is used in vaccination. 
E)  It is a highly motile spirochete.

Question 8

For what is a lumbar puncture used?

Accepted Answer

A)  To release pressure in the meninges caused by viral infection. 
B)  To obtain a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid for examination. 
C)  To obtain small pieces of meninges for biopsy. 
D)  To prevent movement of pathogens from CSF to the meninges. 
E)  To examine the spinal cord for inflammation. 
A)  To release pressure in the meninges caused by viral infection. 
B)  To obtain a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid for examination. 
C)  To obtain small pieces of meninges for biopsy. 
D)  To prevent movement of pathogens from CSF to the meninges. 
E)  To examine the spinal cord for inflammation.

Question 9

The most common cause of meningitis in newborn infants is Streptococcus agalactiae, a

Accepted Answer

A)  Gram-positive group A streptococcus. 
B)  Gram-negative group B streptococcus. 
C)  fungus that often colonizes a woman's vagina. 
D)  group A streptococcus that often colonizes a woman's vagina. 
E)  group B streptococcus that often colonizes a woman's vagina. 
A)  Gram-positive group A streptococcus. 
B)  Gram-negative group B streptococcus. 
C)  fungus that often colonizes a woman's vagina. 
D)  group A streptococcus that often colonizes a woman's vagina. 
E)  group B streptococcus that often colonizes a woman's vagina.

Question 10

You're a famous eye surgeon, specializing in corneal transplants. Given your choice, would you rather use a cornea from a 20-year old person, or one from a 60-year old person (assuming there are no optical defects due to age) for transplantation, and why?

Accepted Answer

A)  The 60-year old cornea. If the person has gone 60 years with no optical defects, this is a very good organ for transplantation. The 20-year old cornea may have defects that simply haven't become apparent yet. 
B)  The 20-year old cornea. Younger is always better when dealing with tissue transplants. You want to give the transplant the longest possible time for survival in the recipient. 
C)  The 20-year old cornea. While extremely rare, it may be possible to transmit prions through corneal transplants. It's less likely that a younger cornea would have become contaminated by prions than the older cornea. 
D)  The 20-year old cornea. There are a variety of agents that can hide in corneal tissues and that might cause disease. It's far more likely that the older cornea would be harboring one or more of these pathogens than the younger cornea. 
E)  The 20-year old cornea. The recipient of the cornea is much less likely to reject the younger tissue, which will have fewer antigens on it. The older cornea is more likely to be rejected by the recipient. 
A)  The 60-year old cornea. If the person has gone 60 years with no optical defects, this is a very good organ for transplantation. The 20-year old cornea may have defects that simply haven't become apparent yet. 
B)  The 20-year old cornea. Younger is always better when dealing with tissue transplants. You want to give the transplant the longest possible time for survival in the recipient. 
C)  The 20-year old cornea. While extremely rare, it may be possible to transmit prions through corneal transplants. It's less likely that a younger cornea would have become contaminated by prions than the older cornea. 
D)  The 20-year old cornea. There are a variety of agents that can hide in corneal tissues and that might cause disease. It's far more likely that the older cornea would be harboring one or more of these pathogens than the younger cornea. 
E)  The 20-year old cornea. The recipient of the cornea is much less likely to reject the younger tissue, which will have fewer antigens on it. The older cornea is more likely to be rejected by the recipient.

Question 11

The polio viruses usually enter the body through

Accepted Answer

A)  the oral route. 
B)  contaminated blood. 
C)  cuts in the skin. 
D)  the respiratory route. 
E)  insect bites. 
A)  the oral route. 
B)  contaminated blood. 
C)  cuts in the skin. 
D)  the respiratory route. 
E)  insect bites.

Question 12

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases caused by fungus may occur in

Accepted Answer

A)  cancer patients. 
B)  diabetics. 
C)  AIDS patients. 
D)  immunosuppressed people. 
E)  All of the choices are correct. 
A)  cancer patients. 
B)  diabetics. 
C)  AIDS patients. 
D)  immunosuppressed people. 
E)  All of the choices are correct.

Question 13

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an additive that is sprayed onto a variety of meats during the production process. The additive contains viruses and has increased the safety of these foods by 80-99%. How does this additive work?

Accepted Answer

A)  The additive contains bacteriophages specific for L. monocytogenes. The viruses are lytic phages-they infect and kill the bacterial host. 
B)  The additive contains bacteriophages specific for L. monocytogenes. The viruses are temperate (lysogenic) phages that infect and kill the bacterial host. 
C)  The additive contains viruses that produce antibiotics which destroy L. monocytogenes cells. Several strains are used to prevent resistance. 
D)  The additive contains phages that infect the person that consumes them on food. They integrate into the host cell's chromosomes, protecting the cells from L. monocytogenes. 
E)  The viruses in the additive cause an immune response in pregnant women, who make IgA in response to them. The IgA protects the fetus against L. monocytogenes. 
A)  The additive contains bacteriophages specific for L. monocytogenes. The viruses are lytic phages-they infect and kill the bacterial host. 
B)  The additive contains bacteriophages specific for L. monocytogenes. The viruses are temperate (lysogenic) phages that infect and kill the bacterial host. 
C)  The additive contains viruses that produce antibiotics which destroy L. monocytogenes cells. Several strains are used to prevent resistance. 
D)  The additive contains phages that infect the person that consumes them on food. They integrate into the host cell's chromosomes, protecting the cells from L. monocytogenes. 
E)  The viruses in the additive cause an immune response in pregnant women, who make IgA in response to them. The IgA protects the fetus against L. monocytogenes.

Question 14

Which statement regarding meningitis is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A)  If bacterial meningitis is suspected, a person is given broad-spectrum antibiotics immediately, without waiting for identification of the causative organism. 
B)  Bacterial causative agents of meningitis are transmitted through respiratory droplets, while viral agents of the disease may also be transmitted via the fecal-oral route. 
C)  The cerebrospinal fluid of people with either viral meningitis or bacterial meningitis is cloudy and opaque rather than being clear and pale yellow in color. 
D)  Meningitis is a relatively rare disease, because it is very difficult for the causative agents to cross the blood-brain barrier. 
E)  Vaccines protect against the most important types bacterial meningitis but prevention of viral meningitis depends on increased hand washing and avoiding crowded areas. 
A)  If bacterial meningitis is suspected, a person is given broad-spectrum antibiotics immediately, without waiting for identification of the causative organism. 
B)  Bacterial causative agents of meningitis are transmitted through respiratory droplets, while viral agents of the disease may also be transmitted via the fecal-oral route. 
C)  The cerebrospinal fluid of people with either viral meningitis or bacterial meningitis is cloudy and opaque rather than being clear and pale yellow in color. 
D)  Meningitis is a relatively rare disease, because it is very difficult for the causative agents to cross the blood-brain barrier. 
E)  Vaccines protect against the most important types bacterial meningitis but prevention of viral meningitis depends on increased hand washing and avoiding crowded areas.

Question 15

Which is true about prions?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are made of DNA and protein AND they are a normal brain protein that has folded differently. 
B)  They cause a degenerative brain condition AND they are a normal brain protein that has folded differently. 
C)  They cause a degenerative brain condition AND they are naked pieces of DNA. 
D)  They cause a degenerative brain condition AND they are naked pieces of RNA. 
E)  they cause fatal neurodegenerative disease AND they are naked pieces of RNA or DNA. 
A)  They are made of DNA and protein AND they are a normal brain protein that has folded differently. 
B)  They cause a degenerative brain condition AND they are a normal brain protein that has folded differently. 
C)  They cause a degenerative brain condition AND they are naked pieces of DNA. 
D)  They cause a degenerative brain condition AND they are naked pieces of RNA. 
E)  they cause fatal neurodegenerative disease AND they are naked pieces of RNA or DNA.

Question 16

How would L. monocytogenes meningitis be diagnosed and treated?

Accepted Answer

A)  Antibiogram results; antibiotics 
B)  Gram staining; acyclovir 
C)  Brain biopsy; acyclovir 
D)  Signs and symptoms; phage therapy 
E)  Lumbar puncture; antibiotics 
A)  Antibiogram results; antibiotics 
B)  Gram staining; acyclovir 
C)  Brain biopsy; acyclovir 
D)  Signs and symptoms; phage therapy 
E)  Lumbar puncture; antibiotics

Question 17

M. leprae may infect

Accepted Answer

A)  skunks. 
B)  iguanas. 
C)  armadillos. 
D)  raccoons. 
E)  birds. 
A)  skunks. 
B)  iguanas. 
C)  armadillos. 
D)  raccoons. 
E)  birds.

Question 18

Which of the following mostly causes typically pneumonia but may also cause meningitis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mycoplasma pneumoniae 
B)  Klebsiella pneumoniae 
C)  Mycoplasma meningitidis 
D)  Neisseria meningitidis 
E)  Streptococcus pneumoniae 
A)  Mycoplasma pneumoniae 
B)  Klebsiella pneumoniae 
C)  Mycoplasma meningitidis 
D)  Neisseria meningitidis 
E)  Streptococcus pneumoniae

Question 19

How does Cryptococcus gattii enter the body?

Accepted Answer

A)  Through peripheral nerves. 
B)  Inhalation of fungal spores. 
C)  Ingestion of fungal spores. 
D)  Direct contact with an infected person. 
E)  All of these. 
A)  Through peripheral nerves. 
B)  Inhalation of fungal spores. 
C)  Ingestion of fungal spores. 
D)  Direct contact with an infected person. 
E)  All of these.

Question 20

Please identify the correct sequence of events in the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis.
1) Each cyst contains large numbers of bradyzoites, a smaller form of T. gondii which persists in a latent infection.
2) As host immunity develops, a tough, fibrous capsule forms around infected host cells, forming a tissue cyst.
3) Within the small intestinal cells, sporozoites develop rapidly into tachyzoites which spread systemically.
4) T. gondii enters the host when either mature oocysts containing two sporocysts are eaten.
5) Sporozoites emerge from each of the sporocysts, and invade the cells of the small intestine.

Accepted Answer

A)  4, 5, 3, 2, 1 
B)  1, 2, 4, 3, 5 
C)  3, 2, 1, 4, 5 
D)  2, 4, 5, 1, 3 
E)  1, 5, 4, 2, 3 
A)  4, 5, 3, 2, 1 
B)  1, 2, 4, 3, 5 
C)  3, 2, 1, 4, 5 
D)  2, 4, 5, 1, 3 
E)  1, 5, 4, 2, 3

Exam 26: Nervous System Infections

Viral central nervous system infections may result in

The leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adults is

Why would the Sabin oral polio vaccine need to be eliminated after eradication of the polio virus?

Meningoencephalitis and African sleeping sickness are both caused by protozoans.

If a person infected with L. monocytogenes develops meningitis, which of the following signs and symptoms would they experience?

Which is true of listeriosis?

Please select the TRUE statement regarding Haemophilus influenzae.

For what is a lumbar puncture used?

The most common cause of meningitis in newborn infants is Streptococcus agalactiae, a

You're a famous eye surgeon, specializing in corneal transplants. Given your choice, would you rather use a cornea from a 20-year old person, or one from a 60-year old person (assuming there are no optical defects due to age) for transplantation, and why?

The polio viruses usually enter the body through

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases caused by fungus may occur in

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an additive that is sprayed onto a variety of meats during the production process. The additive contains viruses and has increased the safety of these foods by 80-99%. How does this additive work?

Which statement regarding meningitis is FALSE?

Which is true about prions?

How would L. monocytogenes meningitis be diagnosed and treated?

M. leprae may infect

Which of the following mostly causes typically pneumonia but may also cause meningitis?

How does Cryptococcus gattii enter the body?

Humans and the Microbial World

The Molecules of Life

Microscopy and Cell Structure

Dynamics of Microbial Growth

Control of Microbial Growth

Microbial Metabolism: Fueling Cell Growth

The Blueprint of Life, From Dna to Protein

Bacterial Genetics

Biotechnology

Identifying and Classifying Microorganisms

The Diversity of Bacteria and Archaea

The Eukaryotic Members of the Microbial World

Viruses, Viroids, and Prions

The Innate Immune Response

The Adaptive Immune Response

Host-Microbe Interactions

Immunological Disorders

Applications of Immune Responses

Epidemiology

Antimicrobial Medications

Respiratory System Infections

Skin Infections

Wound Infections

Digestive System Infections

Blood and Lymphatic Infections

Genitourinary Tract Infections

Microbial Ecology

Environmental Microbiology: Treatment of Water, Wastes, and Polluted Habitats

Food Microbiology

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