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Question 1
Correct
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Rubella belongs to which of the following family of viruses?
Your Answer: Togaviruses
Explanation:The Rubella virus, also known as German measles, is found in the Togavirus family and is a single-stranded RNA virus. The virus, which is acquired through contact with respiratory secretions, primarily replicates in the nasopharynx and lymph nodes, and produces a mild and self-limiting illness. Congenital infection, however, is associated with several anomalies including sensorineural deafness, cataracts and cardiac abnormalities.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 2
Correct
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Regarding listeria infection during pregnancy, what is the fetal case mortality rate?
Your Answer: 25%
Explanation:Listeria Monocytogenes is a cause of congenital infection. The most common source of the bacteria is food, especially unpasteurised milk. Congenital listeriosis can lead to spontaneous abortions, premature birth and chorioamnionitis. At birth, neonates may present with septicaemia, respiratory distress and inflammatory granulomatosis. The case mortality rate for listeriosis is thought to be between 20-30%.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 3
Incorrect
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Regarding Human Papillomavirus, what percentage of women develop antibodies?
Your Answer: 75%
Correct Answer: 50%
Explanation:Human Papillomavirus has been is implicated in the development of genital warts as well as, head and neck, anogenital and cervical cancers, with the most important high-risk strains being 16 and 18. Over 50% of women worldwide are thought to possess antibodies against various strains of HPV after natural infection. Many infections are asymptomatic and are cleared within 2 years. Several vaccines have been formulated against HPV, one of which is Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine against HPV types 6,11, 16,18.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 4
Correct
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You are asked to explain to a patient the results of her Rubella screen. They are as follows:
Your Answer: Acute Rubella Infection
Explanation:IgM rise is typically seen with acute infection. IgG is produced in response to infection but is produced later than IgM. IgG is also produced in response to vaccination. If IgG and IgM are negative the patient is susceptible to Rubella infection. If IgG +ve and IgM -ve the patient should be considered immune. If IgM +ve this suggests acute infection or false positive IgM (not uncommon)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 5
Correct
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Question 6
Incorrect
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According to NICE guidance what should be used for wound cleansing for the first 48 hours postoperatively?
Your Answer: Chlorhexidine solution
Correct Answer: Sterile saline
Explanation:NICE guidelines (CG74) advise the following regarding postoperative wound management Use sterile saline for wound cleansing up to 48 hours after surgery. Advise patients that they may shower safely 48 hours after surgery. Use tap water for wound cleansing after 48 hours if the surgical wound has separated or has been surgically opened to drain pus. Do not use topical antimicrobial agents for surgical wounds that are healing by primary intention to reduce the risk of surgical site infection
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 7
Correct
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The following is a gram positive obligate anaerobe:
Your Answer: Clostridia
Explanation:Obligate anaerobes are a group of bacteria that cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment. In the body, they are usually found on mucosal membranes such as that of the lower gastrointestinal system, or the vagina. Infection with these organisms is usually suprative and causes abscesses. Examples of gram-negative anaerobes include Bacteroides, Fusobacterium and Prevotella, while gram-positive anaerobes include Actinomyces and Clostridia. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are both gram-positive facultative anaerobes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 8
Incorrect
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A 26 year old lady comes to see you in the antenatal clinic. She is 8 weeks pregnant and is concerned as she has a new cat and her friend told her she shouldn't be changing cat litter when pregnant. You send bloods which show high IgM for toxoplasmosis gondii. Which of the following is an appropriate treatment option?
Your Answer: Mebendazole
Correct Answer: Spiramycin
Explanation:Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite found in cat faeces, soil or uncooked meat. Infection occurs by ingestion of the parasite from undercooked meat or from unwashed hands. Spiramycin treatment can be used in pregnancy (a 3-week course of 2–3 g per day). This reduces the incidence of transplacental infection but has not been shown to definitively reduce the incidence of clinical congenital disease. If toxoplasmosis is found to be the cause of abnormalities detected on ultrasound scan of the foetus, then termination of pregnancy can be offered.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 9
Correct
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Question 10
Incorrect
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During a speculum examination, a lady was found to have a firm, 12mm ulcerated, indurated lesion on her cervix. She was otherwise asymptomatic. Most likely cause would be?
Your Answer: Herpes Simplex Type 2
Correct Answer: Treponema pallidum
Explanation:This lady is most likely suffering from primary syphilis. Since the chancre is asymptomatic, it is often only found on deep examination of the vulvo-vaginal mucosa. The chief organism causing syphilis is Treponema Pallidum which is a spirochete and one of the most widely distributed sexually transmitted infections.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 11
Correct
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HPV genotypes 6 and 11 are associated with which of the following?
Your Answer: Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix (LSIL)
Explanation:HPV types 6 and 11 are associated with low risk, low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. While types 16,18,31 and 33 are associated with high risk, high grade neoplasia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 12
Correct
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Which of the following is the primary host for Toxoplasma Gondii?
Your Answer: Cats
Explanation:Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular protozoan, is the main causative agent for Toxoplasmosis. The primary host for the organism is the domestic cat. Humans can become infected by eating undercooked meat of animals harbouring cysts, consuming water or food contaminated with cat faeces, or through maternal-fetal transmission. Toxoplasmosis can cause complications in pregnancy such as miscarriages and congenital infection can lead to hydrocephalus, microcephaly, mental disability and vision loss.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 13
Correct
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You see a 23 year old women in clinic with cervicitis. Which gram negative intracellular organism is most likely to be responsible?
Your Answer: Chlamydia trachomatis
Explanation:Chlamydia trachomatis (D-K subtypes) is the most common cause in this age group and fits the descriptors given.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 14
Correct
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A 29 year old patient who is 22 weeks pregnant seeks your advice as she was recently exposed to chickenpox. Regarding fetal varicella syndrome (FVS) which of the following statements is correct regarding maternal varicella infection?
Your Answer: FVS may result if there is maternal varicella infection within the 1st 20 weeks gestation
Explanation:(13-20 weeks). If a mother has chickenpox in late pregnancy (5 days prior to delivery) then there is risk of neonatal varicella infection which may be severe.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 15
Correct
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Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is associated with which of the following onco-proteins?
Your Answer: E6 and E7
Explanation:There are over 100 genotypes of HPV including several other high risk HPV types. HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for 70% of cases of HPV related cancers. HPV is thought to induce cancer via onco-proteins. The primary onco-proteins are E6 and E7 which inactivate two tumour suppressor proteins, p53 (inactivated by E6) and pRb (inactivated by E7)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 16
Correct
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Which period during pregnancy has the highest risk of maternal-fetal Toxoplasma Gondii transmission?
Your Answer: 26-40 weeks
Explanation:Toxoplasma Gondii is an intracellular parasite which is excreted in cat faeces and then transferred to humans through secondary hosts. During pregnancy, it can be transmitted to the neonate. The risk of transplacental transmission from mother to foetus is greater in later pregnancy i.e. 26-40 weeks but during this time period it is less dangerous as compare to the transmission during 0-10 weeks of gestation. It may lead to abortion, microcephaly, hydrocephalus, cerebral calcifications, cerebral palsy and seizures.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 17
Incorrect
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A 29 year old patient who is 15 weeks pregnant comes to see you. She currently has chickenpox. She is concerned her baby may get congenital fetal varicella syndrome (FVS). What would you advise her the risk of this is?
Your Answer: 5.00%
Correct Answer: 2.00%
Explanation:FVS has been reported to complicate maternal chickenpox that occurs as early as 3 weeks and up to 28 weeks of gestation. The risk appears to be lower in the first trimester (0.55 per cent). No case of FVS has been reported when maternal infection has occurred after 28 weeks.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 18
Correct
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You see a 23 year old women in clinic complaining of vaginal discharge. The lab phone to tell you microscopy and staining shows a gram negative diplococcus. Which organism is most likely to be responsible?
Your Answer: Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Explanation:The most common gram negative diplococci include Neisseria, haemophilus and Moraxella.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 19
Correct
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Question 20
Correct
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A 32 year old mother is in her first trimester of pregnancy with her second child. She is worried about infections in this pregnancy as her daughter was born with a 'blueberry muffin rash' and was soon found to have sensorineural deafness due to an infection. Which of the following infections is most likely?
Your Answer: Rubella
Explanation:Congenital infections can be the cause of various congenital abnormalities. Infection with the Rubella virus, part of the TORCH infections (toxoplasmosis, other organisms, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex), can lead to cardiac abnormalities, ophthalmic defects, sensorineural deafness and neurodevelopmental delays. At birth congenital rubella syndrome presents with a petechial rash characteristically dubbed a blueberry muffin rash, and hepatosplenomegaly with jaundice. Immunization of the mother against measles is an effective way of reducing the occurrence of congenital rubella syndrome.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 21
Correct
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Herpes Simplex is which type of virus
Your Answer: double stranded DNA
Explanation:Herpes simplex is a double stranded DNA virus. There are two viral types, HSV-1 and HSV-2. The majority of orolabial infections are caused by HSV-1. These infections are usually acquired during childhood through direct physical contact such as kissing. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection and is most commonly caused by HSV-2.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 22
Correct
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A 26 year old lady comes to see you in the antenatal clinic. She is 8 weeks pregnant and is concerned as she has a new cat and her friend told her she shouldn't be changing cat litter when pregnant. You send bloods which show high IgM for toxoplasmosis gondii. Which of the following is an appropriate treatment option?
Your Answer: Spiramycin
Explanation:There are 2 treatment options: Spiramycin ASAP if foetus not infected or status of the foetus not known. This reduces risk of transplacental infection. This is continued until term, or until fetal infection is documented. Pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folic acid where fetal infection is known e.g. positive amniotic fluid PCR. Monitoring for haemotoxicity required. Pyrimethamine should be avoided in the 1st trimester as teratogenic
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 23
Correct
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What type of virus is the Rubella virus?
Your Answer: Single stranded RNA (ssRNA)
Explanation:Rubella virus is the only member of the genus Rubivirus and is a type of Togavirus (Togaviridae). It is a single stranded RNA virus. Note for the exam if you are unsure – most RNA viruses encountered in clinical practice are single stranded. The exception is rotavirus which is dsRNA virus. RNA viruses that use DNA during their replication are classed as retroviruses (HIV is an example)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 24
Incorrect
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Question 25
Correct
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Regarding congenital CMV infection, what percentage of infants are symptomatic?
Your Answer: 10-15%
Explanation:Congenital cytomegalovirus infections are the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss in babies. Cytomegalovirus infection during the perinatal period can be transferred to the foetus especially if the primary infection is during pregnancy. In babies born with congenital CMV about 10-15% are symptomatic, while 10-15% of those who are asymptomatic will develop symptoms in life. Some of the features of CMV infection include sensorineural hearing loss, visual impairment, cerebral palsy, microcephaly and seizures. Other causes of infective congenital sensorineural hearing loss include: Rubella, HIV, Herpes Simplex Virus, Measles, Varicella Zoster virus, Mumps and West Nile Virus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 26
Correct
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A 24 year old woman presents to the clinic with foul smelling vaginal discharge. Which facultative anaerobic bacteria is most likely to be the cause?
Your Answer: Gardnerella vaginalis
Explanation:Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection of the vagina caused by the overgrowth of atypical bacteria, most commonly Gardnerella vaginalis, a gram indeterminate bacteria, which is also a facultative anaerobe. Patients often complain of foul-smelling fishy discharge and dysuria. In diagnosing BV, a swab is taken for microscopy, often revealing clue cells. Of the other organisms listed in the options, Neisseria is an obligate anaerobe, while Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular aerobe. Treponema Pallidum is an aerophilic bacteria and Mycoplasma hominis is a pleomorphic parasitic bacterium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 27
Correct
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A 30 year old women comes to see you and advises she has felt a little unwell with diarrhoea and flu like symptoms. She is 28 weeks pregnant. Upon questioning she discloses she ate a soft cheese and deli meats platter 5 days earlier. A blood culture confirms listeria infection. What is the appropriate treatment (she has no known drug allergies)?
Your Answer: Amoxicillin
Explanation:The diagnosis of listeria depends on clinical suspicion and isolation of the organism from blood, vaginal swabs or the placenta. Meconium staining of the amniotic fluid in a preterm foetus may increase clinical suspicion for listeriosis. For women with listeriosis during pregnancy, intravenous antibiotic treatment (ampicillin 2 g given every 6 hours) is indicated.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 28
Correct
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HPV genotypes 6 and 11 are associated with which of the following?
Your Answer: Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix (LSIL)
Explanation:6 and 11 are considered low risk and are commonly associated with genital warts and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix (can correspond cytologically to CIN 1)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 29
Correct
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Which HPV subtypes are chiefly associated with causing cancer?
Your Answer: 16 and 18
Explanation:HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for 70% of cases of HPV related cancers. They are considered the most important high risk genotypes of HPV. As well as cervical cancer they are associated with cancers of the oropharynx and anogenital region.
There are over 100 genotypes of HPV including several other high risk HPV types. Gardasil® is a quadrivalent vaccine against HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18
HPV genotypes 6 and 11 are low risk and cause anogenital warts.
Typically 70% of HPV infections are cleared within 1 year and 90% are cleared within 2 years
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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Question 30
Correct
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A 26 year old patient known to have Group B Streptococcus (GBS) on vaginal swab is going into labour. A normal vaginal delivery is planned. She is penicillin allergic with a history of anaphylaxis. What intrapartum antibiotic treatment is advised?
Your Answer: IV Vancomycin 1g 12 hourly
Explanation:In a person who is infected by streptococcus (Group B) should be started on benzylpenicillin as soon as possible. In case of allergy vancomycin should be started at 1g every 12 hours. Tetracyclines should be avoided in pregnancy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
