Bacteriology: 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.

Try it

Microbiology · Bacteriology

Sample item

What toxin-mediated illness follows ingestion of preformed Staphylococcus aureus toxin?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Rapid vomiting within hours

Preformed staphylococcal enterotoxin causes abrupt nausea and vomiting soon after food ingestion because toxin is present before eating.

Option by option

  • A. Chronic cough with night sweats

    Night sweats suggest tuberculosis.

  • B. Progressive bloody diarrhoea after weeks

    Delayed bloody diarrhoea suggests invasive infection.

  • C. Painless genital ulcer

    Genital ulcer has another differential.

  • D. Rapid vomiting within hours (correct)

    Correct: rapid onset reflects preformed toxin.

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 D, Rapid vomiting within hours. Preformed staphylococcal enterotoxin causes abrupt nausea and vomiting soon after food ingestion because toxin is present before eating.

Why is "Chronic cough with night sweats" not the answer?

Night sweats suggest tuberculosis.

Why is "Progressive bloody diarrhoea after weeks" not the answer?

Delayed bloody diarrhoea suggests invasive infection.

Why is "Painless genital ulcer" not the answer?

Genital ulcer has another differential.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacteriology in Microbiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: rapid onset reflects preformed toxin.

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?

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.