NBME Microbiology Practice Test

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• HTLV-1 is a retrovirus associated with which malignancy?
• Which organism is most commonly associated with large-volume watery diarrhea and dehydration in outbreaks?
• Which statement about lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is true?
• Which toxin property of Clostridium perfringens contributes to tissue destruction in gas gangrene?
• The HIV env gene encodes envelope proteins that are cleaved into which mature products?
• The diphtheria toxin inhibits protein synthesis by ADP-ribosylating which elongation factor?
• Fungi of the order Mucorales can invade the cribriform plate, leading to rhinocerebral mucormycosis in susceptible individuals.
• Transduction in bacteria refers to what?
• Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is endemic to Latin America and has Captain's wheel morphology. Which organism is this?
• Mucor and Rhizopus spp are associated with which invasive fungal infection that commonly presents with a black necrotic eschar on the face in ketoacidotic diabetic patients?
• Which virus is the smallest DNA virus?
• Which organism is oxidase positive?
• Which enzyme catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen?
• Which organism can cause toxic shock syndrome, often associated with foreign packing, and can cause scalded skin syndrome in children?
• Which organism is urease positive and commonly associated with peptic ulcers?
• Which organism can cause rapid-onset food poisoning with vomiting, commonly associated with mayonnaise and heat-stable enterotoxin production?
• Which organism matches the following features: gram-positive cocci, catalase-positive, coagulase-positive, beta-hemolytic, ferments mannitol, protein A virulence factor, and nasal colonization?
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae is associated with which features?
• Which statement best describes Shigella in terms of virulence and clinical presentation?
• First-line treatment for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is which therapy?
• Which organism is alpha-hemolytic, optochin sensitive, lancet-shaped diplococci, encapsulated, and causes rust-colored sputum in community-acquired pneumonia?
• Pertussis toxin inhibits which host-cell mechanism, leading to increased cAMP?
• Which statement about pertussis vaccination is correct?
• Which statement best describes the MMR vaccine?
• Which sign is classically associated with Trichomonas vaginalis infection?
• Encapsulated organisms are particularly dangerous in asplenic individuals. Which organism is encapsulated and a common cause of pneumonia?
• What is the characterisic morphology of Sporothrix schenckii yeast form?
• Which organism produces a grayish-white pseudomembrane in the oropharynx?
• Which organism is the primary cause of cholera, presenting with watery diarrhea and dehydration?
• Which statement about Klebsiella pneumoniae is true?
• In neutropenic patients, which organism is most commonly associated with bloodstream infection?
• Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for vaginal candidiasis?
• Parvovirus B19 infection can cause which complication in patients with sickle cell disease?
• Schistosoma mansoni is most characteristically associated with which finding?
• Candida albicans is commonly responsible for which condition in infants?
• Naegleria fowleri is a brain-eating amoeba that causes meningioencephalitis after exposure to which environment?
• Which organism is a gram-negative pleomorphic coccobacillus that requires X and V factors and grows on chocolate agar?
• For Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), which statement is correct regarding its toxins?
• Chancroid is caused by which organism?
• Which tapeworm is acquired from undercooked pork and can cause cysticercosis with CNS lesions and seizures?
• What CD4 count threshold defines AIDS (an AIDS-defining level)?
• Which of the following is a non-lactose-fermenting bacterium?
• Which organism is classically associated with currant jelly sputum in pneumonia due to its thick capsule?
• Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) is diagnosed with which stain?
• Haemophilus influenzae requires which growth factors to grow in culture?
• Which statement best describes the initial presentation of HIV infection?
• Cytomegalovirus infection is classically associated with which fetal finding?
• Which herpes simplex type is associated with neonatal encephalitis during delivery?
• Which organism is the leading cause of meningitis in neonates?
• Chancroid is caused by which organism?
• Which statement about sporotrichosis is correct?
• Which co-receptors does HIV use to enter cells?
• Early-onset neonatal sepsis is most commonly caused by which organism?
• Francisella tularensis causes which disease?
• Which medication is a common treatment for tinea versicolor?
• Thayer-Martin agar is selective for which organisms?
• Shigella species are characterized by which of the following features?
• Which organism is associated with colon cancer and is a Group D streptococcus?
• Which organism is a normal skin flora that produces biofilm and is a common cause of prosthetic joint and IV catheter infections?
• Which nematode is capable of autoinfection and can cause hyperinfection syndrome?
• Specialized transduction involves transfer of bacterial genes by what type of phage?
• What is the intermediate host for Schistosoma species?
• Which virus family consists of segmented genomes and includes the influenza virus?
• Rotavirus vaccine is classified as which type of vaccine?
• Genital herpes is most commonly caused by which virus?
• Which parasite presents with a Maltese cross on blood smear and hemolytic anemia, transmitted by Ixodes ticks in the northeastern United States?
• Ingestion of contaminated foods that leads to exotoxin-mediated symmetric descending paralysis is characteristic of which organism?
• Which parasite causes leishmaniasis, with visceral and cutaneous forms, transmitted by sandflies?
• Giemsa stain is commonly used to visualize which infection?
• Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted by which tick genus?
• A normal CD4 count in adults is approximately how many cells per microliter?
• Which virus family includes mumps, measles, parainfluenza, and RSV?
• Congenital rubella syndrome commonly includes which combination of findings?
• CSF analysis in measles-associated SSPE commonly shows what finding?
• Which nematode causes pruritus ani, particularly at night?
• Which fungus is a major cause of invasive pulmonary disease in immunocompromised hosts?
• Which nematode causes ileocecal infection and may obstruct the biliary tree?
• Measles virus can lead years later to a chronic encephalitis characterized by behavioral changes and myoclonus; this condition is called ______.
• Gas gangrene due to Clostridium perfringens is primarily caused by which toxin activity?
• Varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in which structure?
• Tinea versicolor is caused by which organism?
• Reactive arthritis is commonly associated with infection by which organism?
• Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) is caused by which organism?
• Sporothrix schenckii is classically associated with which exposure?
• Genetic shift vs drift: Which describes major antigenic change via reassortment of RNA segments in segmented viruses such as influenza A?
• E. coli O157:H7 is characterized by which fermentation pattern relevant to EHEC?
• Which nematode infection is acquired from undercooked pork and causes myalgia with cysts in muscle?
• The toxin responsible for spastic paralysis is produced by which organism?
• Bartonella henselae is the causative agent of what condition associated with regional lymphadenopathy?
• Lymphogranuloma venereum is caused by infection with which organism?
• Puncture wounds are at risk for infection with which organism that causes tetanus (lockjaw)?
• Which parasite infection is a concern for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals, can cause chorioretinitis and ring-enhancing brain lesions, and is transmitted via raw meat or cat feces?
• HIV is what type of virus?
• A boxcar-shaped, gram-positive rod is most characteristic of which organism?
• Which organism is oxidase negative?
• Lymphogranuloma venerum is caused by which organism?
• Describe the rubella rash pattern.
• Which organism is a blood-sucking ectoparasite associated with human infestation?
• Which of the following is true about Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)?
• Mumps is caused by which virus?
• Which fungus is notable for lacking a true capsule?
• Which parasite is associated with African sleeping sickness transmitted by the tsetse fly?
• Which organism is classically associated with rheumatic fever after streptococcal pharyngitis, with JONES criteria including joints, heart problems, nodules, erythema, and chorea?
• Which option describes a NOT-flavivirus infection?
• Cytomegalovirus is a member of which virus family?
• Which organism is a gram-positive rod that grows in the cold, can cause meningitis in pregnant or immunocompromised individuals, and is linked to unpasteurized dairy products and soft cheese?
• Which organism is the most common cause of septic arthritis in children?
• Varicella-zoster virus encephalitis occurs most commonly in which patient population?
• Which organism is classically linked to rose spots on the torso in typhoid fever?
• Cryptococcus neoformans is associated with meningitis/encephalitis and can be visualized with India ink stain, often involving pigeons. Which statement is correct?
• Conjugation in bacteria involves which of the following?
• Which organism is usually transmitted from pet feces (e.g., puppies), contaminated milk, or pork and can cause enterocolitis with pseudoappendicitis right-lower-quadrant pain in children?
• In acute hepatitis B infection, which serologic pattern is typical?
• Which clinical finding is classically associated with rubella infection in children?
• Transformation in bacteria is defined as what process?
• Which clinical features are commonly associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection in children?
• Which organism commonly causes oral thrush in immunocompromised patients?
• Septate hyphae are a characteristic feature of which genus commonly implicated in allergic lung disease?
• Which organism is alpha-hemolytic, optochin resistant, commonly causing subacute endocarditis on damaged heart valves and dental caries?
• Which virus is characterized by replication in the cytoplasm and is among the largest DNA viruses?
• Genital warts (condylomata acuminata) are most commonly caused by which HPV types?
• Which statement correctly describes a non-lactose-fermenting enteric bacterium?
• Which test differentiates Streptococcus pneumoniae from Streptococcus viridans?
• Which virulence factor mediates mucosal adherence in Neisseria gonorrhoeae?
• Which organism is a common cause of neonatal sepsis presenting with meningitis?
• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is most commonly associated with which organism?
• Which organism is the obligate intracellular bacterium associated with pelvic inflammatory disease and lymphogranuloma venereum?
• HTLV-2 is associated with which hematologic condition?
• Pneumonic plague is caused by which organism?
• Which organism is most associated with rice-water stools and the most severe dehydration?
• The organism that causes gonorrhea is best described as?
• Which parasite typically causes watery diarrhea and is especially problematic in patients with HIV/AIDS due to infection by sporozoites that attach to the intestinal wall?
• Primary syphilis presents with which hallmark feature?
• Pelvic inflammatory disease is most commonly associated with infection by which pathogens?
• Rickettsial infections characteristically invade which cells, leading to vasculitis and a petechial rash?
• Which organism is novobiocin-resistant and a common cause of urinary tract infections in sexually active young women?
• On MacConkey agar, lactose fermenters produce what color colonies?
• Neonatal infection is most reliably indicated by the presence of which immunoglobulin that does not cross the placenta?
• In AIDS patients, ring-enhancing brain lesions are most commonly due to which organism?
• Lactobacillus in the vagina contributes to an acidic environment by producing lactic acid. Which statement is true?
• Pseudomembranous colitis is most closely associated with infection by which organism?
• Malaria can relapse due to dormant liver forms (hypnozoites). Which species is classically associated with relapses?
• Which parasite is classically treated with praziquantel and lays eggs in mesenteric vessels?
• Which organism is part of normal colonic flora and can cause UTI and endocarditis, is bile resistant, and may be vancomycin-resistant (VRE)?
• Which parasite is associated with foul-smelling, fatty diarrhea and is commonly seen in campers and hikers, with a distinct trophozoite shape?
• Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is described as having Captain's wheel morphology and is associated with the lungs and Latin America. Which organism is this?
• Which of the following bacteria is classically encapsulated and associated with asplenia risk?
• Which culture medium is used to grow Bordetella pertussis?
• Kaposi sarcoma is associated with which human herpesvirus?
• Coccidioides species form nonbudding spherules filled with endospores; endemic to California and the southwestern United States. Which organism forms such spherules?
• BK virus infection is a concern particularly in which patient population?
• Reactivation of varicella-zoster virus typically presents as which condition characterized by a unilateral, painful vesicular eruption?
• Histoplasma capsulatum is classically associated with exposure to what environment?
• Which HIV protein mediates fusion and entry into host cells?
• Dengue fever is caused by a member of which virus family?
• Rubella belongs to which viral family?
• Candida albicans can cause endocarditis in which group?
• Fungal meningitis typically presents with which CSF profile?
• The leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns is which organism?
• Roseola (exanthem subitum) is caused by which herpesvirus?
• Which tapeworm causes hydatid disease with cysts in the liver and is transmitted via dog feces?
• Generalized transduction occurs when a lytic phage packages what type of DNA?
• Tinea cruris occurs in the inguinal region and does not show central clearing, unlike tinea corporis.
• Which polyomavirus is linked to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in AIDS?
• Which of the following is a common cause of bacterial meningitis in patients over 50?
• In neutropenic patients, which organism is most commonly associated with invasive pulmonary infection?
• Which organism is gram-positive cocci, catalase-positive, coagulase-negative, normal skin flora, novobiocin-sensitive, and forms biofilm on prosthetic devices?
• Which cell type is among the initial targets for HIV infection?
• Which genus is known to produce aflatoxin associated with hepatocellular carcinoma?
• Blueberry muffin rash in a neonate is most characteristic of congenital infection with which agent?
• Trichomonas vaginalis is an STD protozoan that causes frothy yellow-green discharge and has flagellated motility. Which option lists the correct organism?
• Which genus is NOT a lactose fermenter?
• Which Vibrio species is associated with shellfish such as oysters and can cause explosive watery diarrhea and bullae formation?
• The MMR vaccine protects against which diseases?
• Which genus is a lactose fermenter among Enterobacteriaceae?
• Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis typically occurs after infection with which organism?
• Which of the following vaccines is a live attenuated vaccine?
• West Nile virus is primarily transmitted by which vector?
• Borrelia burgdorferi belongs to which group of bacteria?
• Which statement accurately describes Escherichia coli strains associated with neonatal meningitis?
• Detection of Bordetella pertussis in nasopharyngeal specimens is commonly performed by which method?
• Listeria monocytogenes infection in pregnancy is particularly linked to which outcome due to soft cheese consumption?
• Legionella pneumophila is best cultured on which medium?
• Which malaria species is associated with high fever and release of merozoites from red blood cells, contributing to severe disease?
• During the window period of hepatitis B infection, which serologic pattern is observed?
• Which organism is bacitracin sensitive, beta-hemolytic, encapsulated with hyaluronic acid, and produces streptolysin O?
• Schistosoma haematobium is classically linked to which condition?
• Which whipworm infection is often asymptomatic or causes loose stools?
• Which organism is CAMP test positive and hippurate test positive, associated with meningitis and sepsis in newborns, and colonizes the vagina?
• Which HIV gene encodes the capsid protein p24?
• Legionella pneumophila causes Legionnaire's disease and Pontiac fever; which medium is used to culture it?
• Which skin finding is characteristic of early localized Lyme disease?
• Which organism causes liver abscesses with anchovy paste and flask-shaped ulcers in the intestine, often acquired from contaminated water?
• Which family of viruses is composed of double-stranded DNA, enveloped, icosahedral viruses?
• Which statement accurately describes Neisseria gonorrhoeae?
• Which virus is a negative-sense, segmented RNA virus associated with seasonal influenza and can lead to secondary bacterial pneumonia?
• Pneumocystis jiroveci causes severe pneumonia in which patient population?
• Which virus is a double-stranded DNA virus with an envelope and causes painful vesicles and shows intranuclear inclusions in infected cells?
• Which statement correctly describes Escherichia coli?
• Which herpes simplex type is latent in the trigeminal ganglia?
• Which parasite causes Chagas disease with megacolon and megEsophagus and is transmitted by kissing bugs in South America?
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa is best described as which of the following?
• Which organism is commonly linked to consumption of raw seafood and gastroenteritis?
• Tularemia is most commonly associated with which exposure?
• Clonorchis sinensis infection is most commonly acquired through which route?
• Lyme disease is caused by which organism?
• Granuloma inguinale is caused by which organism?
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by which organism?
• Blastomyces dermatitidis is known for what growth form?
• Which parasite is known for causing intense itching and pruritus due to skin burrows?
• Which organism is a common cause of neonatal sepsis?
• Which organism is oxidase positive and known for causing cholera?
• Which pathogen is included in TORCH infections?
• Actinomyces israelii is classically associated with which features?
• Which virus listed is an arbovirus within the Togavirus family?
• Which organism is commonly associated with yeast infections such as oral thrush, diaper rash, and endocarditis in IV drug users?
• Condyloma acuminatum is caused by infection with which virus?
• Which pathogen is primarily associated with Lyme disease transmitted by Ixodes ticks?
• A urinary tract infection showing leukocytes but negative nitrite is most commonly caused by which organism?
• Which enzymes are encoded by the HIV pol gene?
• Which organism is the most common cause of candidemia in hospitalized patients?