Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control: Acinetobacter persistence: 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 · Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control: Acinetobacter persistence

Sample item

An Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak in an ICU continues despite routine cleaning of bed rails and ventilators. Which property of the organism best explains its persistence?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Survival for weeks on dry inanimate surfaces

Acinetobacter baumannii tolerates desiccation and survives for weeks on dry hospital surfaces and equipment, and it is often multidrug resistant. Thorough environmental cleaning and contact precautions are essential.

Option by option

  • A. Intracellular survival inside macrophages

    It is an extracellular opportunist and not an intracellular parasite.

  • B. Formation of heat-resistant endospores

    Acinetobacter does not form spores.

  • C. Strict spread only through contaminated water

    Spread is through contact with contaminated surfaces and hands, not only water.

  • D. Survival for weeks on dry inanimate surfaces (correct)

    Correct. Prolonged survival on dry surfaces allows persistent environmental reservoirs.

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.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is D, Survival for weeks on dry inanimate surfaces. Acinetobacter baumannii tolerates desiccation and survives for weeks on dry hospital surfaces and equipment, and it is often multidrug resistant.

Why is "Intracellular survival inside macrophages" not the answer?

It is an extracellular opportunist and not an intracellular parasite.

Why is "Formation of heat-resistant endospores" not the answer?

Acinetobacter does not form spores.

Why is "Strict spread only through contaminated water" not the answer?

Spread is through contact with contaminated surfaces and hands, not only water.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control: Acinetobacter persistence in Microbiology. Thorough environmental cleaning and contact precautions are essential.

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 Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control: Acinetobacter persistence?

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.