Bacteriology: Borrelia: 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: Borrelia

Sample item

A trekker in a temperate region develops an expanding annular rash with central clearing after a tick bite. Which organism is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Borrelia burgdorferi

Erythema migrans after an Ixodes tick bite is the classic sign of Lyme disease caused by B. burgdorferi. B. recurrentis causes louse-borne relapsing fever, R. conorii causes a spotted fever with eschar, and Leptospira follows water contact.

Option by option

  • A. Rickettsia conorii

    R. conorii causes a maculopapular rash with an eschar.

  • B. Borrelia recurrentis

    B. recurrentis is louse-borne and gives relapsing fever.

  • C. Borrelia burgdorferi (correct)

    Correct. Erythema migrans after a tick bite is Lyme disease.

  • D. Leptospira interrogans

    Leptospira is acquired from water contaminated by animal urine.

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 C, Borrelia burgdorferi. Erythema migrans after an Ixodes tick bite is the classic sign of Lyme disease caused by B.

Why is "Rickettsia conorii" not the answer?

R. conorii causes a maculopapular rash with an eschar.

Why is "Borrelia recurrentis" not the answer?

B. recurrentis is louse-borne and gives relapsing fever.

Why is "Leptospira interrogans" not the answer?

Leptospira is acquired from water contaminated by animal urine.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacteriology: Borrelia in Microbiology. burgdorferi. B. recurrentis causes louse-borne relapsing fever, R. conorii causes a spotted fever with eschar, and Leptospira follows water contact.

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: Borrelia?

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.