Microbiology Interview Preparation Guide
Refine your Microbiology interview skills with our 124 critical questions. These questions are specifically selected to challenge and enhance your knowledge in Microbiology. Perfect for all proficiency levels, they are key to your interview success. Access the free PDF to get all 124 questions and give yourself the best chance of acing your Microbiology interview. This resource is perfect for thorough preparation and confidence building.124 Microbiology Questions and Answers:
1 :: All Enterobacteriaceae share all of the following characteristics EXCEPT?
* A. Ferment glucose
* B. Reduce nitrates to nitrites
* C. Oxidase positive
* D. Gram negative
* E. Rod-shaped (bacilli)
Correct Answer: C
* B. Reduce nitrates to nitrites
* C. Oxidase positive
* D. Gram negative
* E. Rod-shaped (bacilli)
Correct Answer: C
2 :: What is the O antigen of Enterobacteriaceae?
* A. Cell surface polysaccharide
* B. A channel controlling substance taken into the organism.
* C. A flagellar protein
* D. A peptidoglycan matrix important for cellular rigidity
* E. Cell wall lipopolysaccharide
Correct Answer: E
* B. A channel controlling substance taken into the organism.
* C. A flagellar protein
* D. A peptidoglycan matrix important for cellular rigidity
* E. Cell wall lipopolysaccharide
Correct Answer: E
3 :: Which of the following statements about the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine is not correct?
* A. It is a protein-conjugated, polysaccharide vaccine.
* B. It is poorly immunogenic in young children and immuno compromised hosts.
* C. It is routinely recommended for immune competent adults and children >2 yrs. of age at risk for serious pneumococcal disease.
* D. It protects against the major serotypes of pneumococci causing infection.
* E. An adult with asplenia would be a candidate for this vaccine.
Correct Answer: A
* B. It is poorly immunogenic in young children and immuno compromised hosts.
* C. It is routinely recommended for immune competent adults and children >2 yrs. of age at risk for serious pneumococcal disease.
* D. It protects against the major serotypes of pneumococci causing infection.
* E. An adult with asplenia would be a candidate for this vaccine.
Correct Answer: A
4 :: Which of the following statements about Group B a streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) is not correct?
* A. They are important causes of toxic strep syndrome.
* B. They are frequent colonizers of the female genital tract.
* C. Screening for this pathogen during pregnancy has reduced the incidence of neonatal sepsis.
* D. These organisms are b-hemolytic.
* E. They are important causes of urinary tract infections and bacteremia in elderly and diabetic adults.
Correct Answer: A
* B. They are frequent colonizers of the female genital tract.
* C. Screening for this pathogen during pregnancy has reduced the incidence of neonatal sepsis.
* D. These organisms are b-hemolytic.
* E. They are important causes of urinary tract infections and bacteremia in elderly and diabetic adults.
Correct Answer: A
5 :: A 12 year old boy presents with acute onset of sore throat, fever to 38.9 degrees C and painful anterior cervical lymphadenopathy. On exam the pharynx is red and swollen and the tonsils are covered with yellow-white exudates. The child also has halitosis. Which of the following non-suppurative complications are of concern?
* A. Sinusitis
* B. Acute rheumatic fever alone
* C. Acute glomerulonephritis alone
* D. Acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis
* E. Scarlet fever alone
Correct Answer: D
* B. Acute rheumatic fever alone
* C. Acute glomerulonephritis alone
* D. Acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis
* E. Scarlet fever alone
Correct Answer: D
6 :: All of the following statements about the M-protein of Group A- Streptococci are correct EXCEPT?
* A. The amino terminal portion (distal portion) is variable, accounting for over 80 distinct serotypes.
* B. M proteins allow streptococci to resist phagocytosis.
* C. Antibodies to M protein confer type-specific immunity.
* D. M protein is the major virulence factor of Group A streptococci
* E. M protein is the major constituent of the capsule of Group A streptococci
Correct Answer: E
* B. M proteins allow streptococci to resist phagocytosis.
* C. Antibodies to M protein confer type-specific immunity.
* D. M protein is the major virulence factor of Group A streptococci
* E. M protein is the major constituent of the capsule of Group A streptococci
Correct Answer: E
7 :: Which of the following extracellular enzymes produced by Group A-streptococci is called “spreading factor”, an enzyme important in skin and soft tissue infection?
* A. Streptokinase
* B. Hyaluronidase
* C. M Protein
* D. Deoxyribonuclease C
* E. None of the above
Correct Answer: D
* B. Hyaluronidase
* C. M Protein
* D. Deoxyribonuclease C
* E. None of the above
Correct Answer: D
8 :: The diagnosis of septicemia should be considered in patients who are at increased risk of blood stream infection (often secondary to local disease, such as urinary tract infection or pneumonia). All of the following are factors predisposing patients to septicemia except?
* A. Underlying diseases that appear to compromise host defenses, such as diabetes, lymphoma, etc
* B. Patients with a polymorphonuclear leukocyte count less than 1000/mm3
* C. Patients with polymorphonuclear leukocyte counts of 10,000 to 20,000
* D. Long term therapy with broad-spectrum antimicrobials.
Correct Answer:
* B. Patients with a polymorphonuclear leukocyte count less than 1000/mm3
* C. Patients with polymorphonuclear leukocyte counts of 10,000 to 20,000
* D. Long term therapy with broad-spectrum antimicrobials.
Correct Answer:
9 :: Physical findings and other factors that should suggest the presence of septicemia in a particular patient are all of the following except?
* A. Shaking chills, spiking fevers
* B. Conjunctivitis
* C. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
* D. in elderly patients, decreased urine output or mental changes (confusion)
Correct Answer: B
* B. Conjunctivitis
* C. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
* D. in elderly patients, decreased urine output or mental changes (confusion)
Correct Answer: B
10 :: It is extremely difficult to eradicate staphylococcal infection in the presence of a foreign body. Thus, infected artificial joints and infected intravenous lines often must be removed in conjunction with optimal intravenous anti-staphylococcal therapy with oxacillin or nafcillin (sometimes in combination with rifampin) in order to eradicate such staphylococcal infections (and these attempts are not always successful). Staphylococcal infection of bone may persist for many years despite what should be optimal antimicrobial therapy. The most likely reason for this tenacity of staphylococcal osteomyelitis is:?
* A. The Staphylococcal pilus gene is up-regulated by oxacillin
* B. Fragments of dead bone, called "involucrum" may act as a foreign body, and may have to be removed for optimal eradication of the staphylococcal infection.
* C. Staphylococci may be perceived by the patient's immune system as a positive factor, because the staphylococci produce an extracellular enzyme, obtundokinase, which makes the patient more alert.
* D. Staphylococci are such an integral part of our normal flora that they are treated as "self" rather than "non-self", and no immune reaction to them occurs.
Correct Answer: B
* B. Fragments of dead bone, called "involucrum" may act as a foreign body, and may have to be removed for optimal eradication of the staphylococcal infection.
* C. Staphylococci may be perceived by the patient's immune system as a positive factor, because the staphylococci produce an extracellular enzyme, obtundokinase, which makes the patient more alert.
* D. Staphylococci are such an integral part of our normal flora that they are treated as "self" rather than "non-self", and no immune reaction to them occurs.
Correct Answer: B