Bacteriology: Neisseria gonorrhoeae: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Bacteriology: Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Sample item

A man has urethritis, and microscopy shows intracellular kidney-shaped Gram-negative diplococci within neutrophils. Which organism is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Neisseria gonorrhoeae

N. gonorrhoeae appears as intracellular Gram-negative diplococci in purulent urethral discharge and ferments glucose but not maltose. NAAT is widely used for diagnosis.

Option by option

  • A. Acinetobacter baumannii

    Acinetobacter is a coccobacillus, not this characteristic diplococcus.

  • B. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (correct)

    Correct. The smear description is classic for gonococcal urethritis.

  • C. Moraxella catarrhalis

    Moraxella commonly causes respiratory infection and is not the classic urethral smear finding.

  • D. Neisseria meningitidis

    Meningococci usually colonise the nasopharynx and ferment maltose as well as glucose.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is B, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. N.

Why is "Acinetobacter baumannii" not the answer?

Acinetobacter is a coccobacillus, not this characteristic diplococcus.

Why is "Moraxella catarrhalis" not the answer?

Moraxella commonly causes respiratory infection and is not the classic urethral smear finding.

Why is "Neisseria meningitidis" not the answer?

Meningococci usually colonise the nasopharynx and ferment maltose as well as glucose.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacteriology: Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Microbiology. gonorrhoeae appears as intracellular Gram-negative diplococci in purulent urethral discharge and ferments glucose but not maltose. NAAT is widely used for diagnosis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Bacteriology: Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.