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.

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Microbiology · Bacteriology

Sample item

Which organism causes relapsing fever through antigenic variation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Borrelia recurrentis

Borrelia can repeatedly alter surface antigens, producing recurrent febrile episodes as the organism evades changing host antibody responses.

Option by option

  • A. Legionella pneumophila

    Legionella causes atypical pneumonia.

  • B. Borrelia recurrentis (correct)

    Correct: antigenic variation drives relapsing fever.

  • C. Vibrio cholerae

    Vibrio causes secretory diarrhoea.

  • D. Corynebacterium diphtheriae

    Diphtheria causes toxin disease.

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, Borrelia recurrentis. Borrelia can repeatedly alter surface antigens, producing recurrent febrile episodes as the organism evades changing host antibody responses.

Why is "Legionella pneumophila" not the answer?

Legionella causes atypical pneumonia.

Why is "Vibrio cholerae" not the answer?

Vibrio causes secretory diarrhoea.

Why is "Corynebacterium diphtheriae" not the answer?

Diphtheria causes toxin disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacteriology in Microbiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: antigenic variation drives relapsing fever.

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.