Question 1

Which is True about C. botulinum?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is aerobic. 
B)  It does not grow well below pH 4.5. 
C)  It may form spores. 
D)  It produces an enterotoxin. 
E)  It is Gram-negative. 
A)  It is aerobic. 
B)  It does not grow well below pH 4.5. 
C)  It may form spores. 
D)  It produces an enterotoxin. 
E)  It is Gram-negative.

Question 2

The PPSV23 vaccine may protect against pneumococcal pneumonia, pneumococcal meningitis, and otitis media.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

The membranes that cover the surface of the brain and spinal cord are known as the

Accepted Answer

A)  neurolemma. 
B)  dura mater. 
C)  meninges. 
D)  collagen. 
E)  sarcolemma. 
A)  neurolemma. 
B)  dura mater. 
C)  meninges. 
D)  collagen. 
E)  sarcolemma.

Question 4

Which statement regarding polio vaccines is False?

Accepted Answer

A)  OPV is an oral, attenuated vaccine. It provides better mucosal immunity than IPV and it can transmit immunity from person to person. 
B)  OPV does not require an injection and is cheaper, but it requires refrigeration and may occasionally cause the disease. 
C)  The rare cases of polio that still occurred in the U.S. after poliovirus was eliminated were caused by vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV). 
D)  IPV is unreliable at eliciting production of mucosal antibodies as demonstrated when polio occurred in a country that previously relied only on IPV vaccination. 
E)  The small risk of developing poliomyelitis due to vaccine-derived poliovirus led the United States to change to the routine use of OPV only. 
A)  OPV is an oral, attenuated vaccine. It provides better mucosal immunity than IPV and it can transmit immunity from person to person. 
B)  OPV does not require an injection and is cheaper, but it requires refrigeration and may occasionally cause the disease. 
C)  The rare cases of polio that still occurred in the U.S. after poliovirus was eliminated were caused by vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV). 
D)  IPV is unreliable at eliciting production of mucosal antibodies as demonstrated when polio occurred in a country that previously relied only on IPV vaccination. 
E)  The small risk of developing poliomyelitis due to vaccine-derived poliovirus led the United States to change to the routine use of OPV only.

Question 5

Presenters on the morning news channel that you watch alert consumers to a food recall. A particular brand of ice cream has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that causes asymptomatic or relatively mild disease in otherwise healthy individuals, but can be problematic in pregnant women. Your sister is expecting her first child, so you call her immediately and tell her about the recall. You fill her in on what you know about this organism and the disease it causes, having just learned about it yourself in your pre-nursing microbiology class. Your sister has questions that you are able to answer.
-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

Prions are small single-stranded pieces of RNA.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Presenters on the morning news channel that you watch alert consumers to a food recall. A particular brand of ice cream has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that causes asymptomatic or relatively mild disease in otherwise healthy individuals, but can be problematic in pregnant women. Your sister is expecting her first child, so you call her immediately and tell her about the recall. You fill her in on what you know about this organism and the disease it causes, having just learned about it yourself in your pre-nursing microbiology class. Your sister has questions that you are able to answer.
-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 8

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum often

Accepted Answer

A)  appears normal. 
B)  looks odd. 
C)  smells bad. 
D)  tastes bad. 
E)  is frothy. 
A)  appears normal. 
B)  looks odd. 
C)  smells bad. 
D)  tastes bad. 
E)  is frothy.

Question 9

A pathologist claims it's much easier to determine the causative agent of meningitis than that of an infection of the skin or intestines. Is this True? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

A)  It's not True. An infection is an infection, and it's always difficult to track down the exact causative agent. The organ system involved in the illness has nothing to do with identification of the causative agent. 
B)  It's True. The CNS is generally microbe free, whereas the skin and intestines have a diverse normal microbiota. Separating out a pathogenic causative agent from the normal microbiota in these areas would be much harder to do than in the CNS. 
C)  It's not True. The ventricles of the brain can provide a direct route for microbes to enter the CNS from the bloodstream. Therefore, it would be just as likely to find a pathogenic microbe in the CNS as it would be in the skin or intestines. 
D)  It's True. There are only 1 or 2 microbes that can cause meningitis, yet there are hundreds (if not thousands) that can cause skin/intestinal infections. This makes it much easier to determine the causative agent for a case of meningitis. 
E)  It is not True. It is almost impossible to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, which is required to diagnose meningitis. It is far simpler to obtain a sample from the skin or intestines, so it is easier to diagnose diseases of these systems. 
A)  It's not True. An infection is an infection, and it's always difficult to track down the exact causative agent. The organ system involved in the illness has nothing to do with identification of the causative agent. 
B)  It's True. The CNS is generally microbe free, whereas the skin and intestines have a diverse normal microbiota. Separating out a pathogenic causative agent from the normal microbiota in these areas would be much harder to do than in the CNS. 
C)  It's not True. The ventricles of the brain can provide a direct route for microbes to enter the CNS from the bloodstream. Therefore, it would be just as likely to find a pathogenic microbe in the CNS as it would be in the skin or intestines. 
D)  It's True. There are only 1 or 2 microbes that can cause meningitis, yet there are hundreds (if not thousands) that can cause skin/intestinal infections. This makes it much easier to determine the causative agent for a case of meningitis. 
E)  It is not True. It is almost impossible to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, which is required to diagnose meningitis. It is far simpler to obtain a sample from the skin or intestines, so it is easier to diagnose diseases of these systems.

Question 10

Why is it important to learn about rabies, considering that only a few cases occur in the United States each year?

Accepted Answer

A)  The U.S. isn't the entire world. Rabies might be more common in other areas, and it's important to understand due to the fact that this disease is nearly always fatal. 
B)  The only reason why rabies isn't common in the U.S. is due to our lack of interaction with animal carriers. We could very easily have an outbreak of rabies if we don't know the warning signs to watch for that we've learned about by studying the virus and disease. 
C)  Rabies can never be completely eliminated-it has too many different animal reservoirs/carriers.  As such, we need to remain constantly aware of how to protect human populations, both by preventing and treating the illness. We can only do that by learning about it. 
D)  All of the answer choices are correct. 
E)  None of the choices is correct. 
A)  The U.S. isn't the entire world. Rabies might be more common in other areas, and it's important to understand due to the fact that this disease is nearly always fatal. 
B)  The only reason why rabies isn't common in the U.S. is due to our lack of interaction with animal carriers. We could very easily have an outbreak of rabies if we don't know the warning signs to watch for that we've learned about by studying the virus and disease. 
C)  Rabies can never be completely eliminated-it has too many different animal reservoirs/carriers.  As such, we need to remain constantly aware of how to protect human populations, both by preventing and treating the illness. We can only do that by learning about it. 
D)  All of the answer choices are correct. 
E)  None of the choices is correct.

Question 11

To determine the causative agent of a central nervous system (CNS) infection, a sample is taken from the

Accepted Answer

A)  cerebrospinal fluid. 
B)  arterial blood. 
C)  venous blood. 
D)  urine. 
E)  ventricles. 
A)  cerebrospinal fluid. 
B)  arterial blood. 
C)  venous blood. 
D)  urine. 
E)  ventricles.

Question 12

How do neonates acquire group B streptococcus?

Accepted Answer

A)  From the mother's genital tract shortly before or during birth. 
B)  By inhalation of contaminated aerosol droplets after birth. 
C)  By ingestion of contaminated colostrum shortly after birth. 
D)  Through minor skin wounds such as scratches. 
E)  Via placental transfer of the pathogen from the mother. 
A)  From the mother's genital tract shortly before or during birth. 
B)  By inhalation of contaminated aerosol droplets after birth. 
C)  By ingestion of contaminated colostrum shortly after birth. 
D)  Through minor skin wounds such as scratches. 
E)  Via placental transfer of the pathogen from the mother.

Question 13

The initial symptoms of bacterial meningitis are the same regardless of the causative agent.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus gattii differs from the general pattern of fungal central nervous system (CNS) disease by occurring in

Accepted Answer

A)  otherwise healthy people. 
B)  children. 
C)  AIDS patients. 
D)  immunosuppressed people. 
E)  animals only. 
A)  otherwise healthy people. 
B)  children. 
C)  AIDS patients. 
D)  immunosuppressed people. 
E)  animals only.

Question 15

In rabies, the virus multiplies in one kind of cell then binds to receptors in the

Accepted Answer

A)  neuromuscular region. 
B)  spinal cord. 
C)  respiratory area. 
D)  brain. 
E)  cerebrospinal fluid. 
A)  neuromuscular region. 
B)  spinal cord. 
C)  respiratory area. 
D)  brain. 
E)  cerebrospinal fluid.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of meningococcus?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is a diplococcus. 
B)  It is an encapsulated bacterium. 
C)  It can vary its surface antigens. 
D)  It uses pili for attachment to mucosal epithelium. 
E)  Antigenic variation prevents the development of a vaccine. 
A)  It is a diplococcus. 
B)  It is an encapsulated bacterium. 
C)  It can vary its surface antigens. 
D)  It uses pili for attachment to mucosal epithelium. 
E)  Antigenic variation prevents the development of a vaccine.

Question 17

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 18

Why must amphotericin B be given intravenously and the dose carefully regulated when treating cryptococcal meningoencephalitis?

Accepted Answer

A)  To minimize the toxic effects of the medication. 
B)  To prevent development of resistance in the causative organism. 
C)  To prevent autoimmunity in the patient. 
D)  To avoid development of drug resistance in the patient. 
E)  To minimize the risk of endotoxic shock. 
A)  To minimize the toxic effects of the medication. 
B)  To prevent development of resistance in the causative organism. 
C)  To prevent autoimmunity in the patient. 
D)  To avoid development of drug resistance in the patient. 
E)  To minimize the risk of endotoxic shock.

Question 19

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 20

Viral meningitis is much more common than bacterial meningitis.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 26: Nervous System Infections

Which is True about C. botulinum?

The PPSV23 vaccine may protect against pneumococcal pneumonia, pneumococcal meningitis, and otitis media.

The membranes that cover the surface of the brain and spinal cord are known as the

Which statement regarding polio vaccines is False?

Prions are small single-stranded pieces of RNA.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum often

A pathologist claims it's much easier to determine the causative agent of meningitis than that of an infection of the skin or intestines. Is this True? Why or why not?

Why is it important to learn about rabies, considering that only a few cases occur in the United States each year?

To determine the causative agent of a central nervous system (CNS) infection, a sample is taken from the

How do neonates acquire group B streptococcus?

The initial symptoms of bacterial meningitis are the same regardless of the causative agent.

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus gattii differs from the general pattern of fungal central nervous system (CNS) disease by occurring in

In rabies, the virus multiplies in one kind of cell then binds to receptors in the

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of meningococcus?

How does Cryptococcus gattii enter the body?

Why must amphotericin B be given intravenously and the dose carefully regulated when treating cryptococcal meningoencephalitis?

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

Viral meningitis is much more common than bacterial meningitis.

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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