Microbiology

Question 1

Which organism is the commonest cause of food poisoning?

Answer 1

Campylobacter

Question 2

Is Campylobacter likely to spread from person to person?

Answer 2

No

Question 3

Is E. coli 0157 likely to spread from person to person?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

Who is most at risk of complications from E. coli 0157 infection?

Answer 4

Children + elderly

Question 5

What is the name of the toxin produced by E. coli 0157?

Answer 5

Verotoxin (VTEC)

Question 6

Which syndrome can result due to verotoxin?

Answer 6

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Question 7

What is the main class of antibiotic which acts on the beta-lactam ring on the cell wall of bacteria?

Answer 7

Pencillins

Question 8

What is meant by antimicrobial stewardship?

Answer 8

Prescribing optimum dosage and duration of antimicrobial treatment that results in best clinical outcome, prevention of infection and minimal resistance

Question 9

What is gastroenteritis and what is the consequence regarding absorption?

Answer 9

Inflammation of stomach and small intestine
Limits absorption of nutrients and water

Question 10

Which out of bacteria, viruses and parasites is the most common cause of gastroenteritis?

Answer 10

Viruses

Question 11

Acute enteritis often presents with fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdo pain. Is the diarrhoea usually bloody?

Answer 11

No

Question 12

Acute colitis often presents with fever, diarrhoea and abdo pain. Is the diarrhoea usually bloody?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

Typhoid is an enteric fever like illness caused by which organism?

Answer 13

Salmonella

Question 14

Which type of culture - urine, stool or blood - is key to diagnosing typhoid?

Answer 14

Blood
Stool and urine would be done too though

Question 15

What is first line treatment for gastroenteritis?

Answer 15

Oral rehydration or IV fluids

Question 16

Which antibiotic is commonly used for non-severe C. diff?

Answer 16

Oral metronidazole

Question 17

Which antibiotic is used for severe C. diff?

Answer 17

Oral vancomycin
NEVER IV

Question 18

Which organism is the most common cause of traveller’s diarrhoea?

Answer 18

E. coli 0157 (produces VTEC)

Question 19

What is the commonest cause of viral diarrhoea in kids under 3 years old?

Answer 19

Rotavirus

Question 20

How is rotavirus spread?

Answer 20

Faeco-oral

Question 21

Which virus is known as the winter vomiting bug?

Answer 21

Norovirus

Question 22

How is norovirus spread?

Answer 22

Faeco-oral
Droplets

Question 23

Describe the nature of vomiting that comes with norovirus

Answer 23

Explosive and sudden
Lead to environmental contamination

Question 24

What is the diagnostic test for rotavirus and norovirus?

Answer 24

PCR, on stool or vomit