Bacteriology: Aeromonas after leech therapy: 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: Aeromonas after leech therapy

Sample item

Three days after leech therapy for venous congestion of a replanted finger, a patient develops cellulitis with a discharging wound. Culture grows a beta-haemolytic, oxidase-positive, glucose-fermenting Gram-negative bacillus. Which organism is the likely culprit?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Aeromonas hydrophila

Aeromonas hydrophila lives in the gut of medicinal leeches and in fresh water, so wounds treated with leeches or exposed to fresh water are classically infected. Prophylaxis with a fluoroquinolone or third-generation cephalosporin is commonly given during leech therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Aeromonas hydrophila (correct)

    Correct. The leech gut symbiont fits an oxidase-positive fermenter acquired from leech therapy.

  • B. Pasteurella multocida

    Pasteurella multocida is acquired from cat or dog bites, not leeches.

  • C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

    Pseudomonas aeruginosa does not ferment glucose, so it is a non-fermenter.

  • D. Vibrio vulnificus

    Vibrio vulnificus is halophilic and acquired from seawater or raw oysters, usually in liver 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 A, Aeromonas hydrophila. Aeromonas hydrophila lives in the gut of medicinal leeches and in fresh water, so wounds treated with leeches or exposed to fresh water are classically infected.

Why is "Pasteurella multocida" not the answer?

Pasteurella multocida is acquired from cat or dog bites, not leeches.

Why is "Pseudomonas aeruginosa" not the answer?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa does not ferment glucose, so it is a non-fermenter.

Why is "Vibrio vulnificus" not the answer?

Vibrio vulnificus is halophilic and acquired from seawater or raw oysters, usually in liver disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacteriology: Aeromonas after leech therapy in Microbiology. Prophylaxis with a fluoroquinolone or third-generation cephalosporin is commonly given during leech therapy.

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: Aeromonas after leech therapy?

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.