Microbiology Bacteria and Viruses
General Exam Questions with Latest
Update
What are some common non-sterile sites of normal flora? - ANSWER-Skin, oropharynx,
colon and vagina
What are some sterile sites of normal flora? - ANSWER-CNS, blood, lower
bronchi/alveoli, liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder
What are some common members of normal flora? - ANSWER-S. epidermis, S. aureus,
C. albicans, Niesseria, E. coli
What is colonization? - ANSWER-Growth of bacteria at site of adherence. Acquisition of
a new organism that is neither a member of normal flora nor the cause of symptoms
What is pathogenicity? - ANSWER-The capability of an organism to cause disease
What is virulence? - ANSWER-The measure of a microbes ability to cause disease
What is infection? - ANSWER-The presence of microbes in the body
What is disease? - ANSWER-The state of an organism having entered the body and the
host has symptoms
What are carrier states? - ANSWER-Individual harbors a potential pathogen and can be
a source of infection to others
What are appropriate specimens for anaerobic cultures? - ANSWER-Blood, pleural
fluid, pus, bronchial washing
What specimens are not appropriate for anaerobic cultures? - ANSWER-Sputum and
stool
What is the incubation period? - ANSWER-the period between exposure to an infection
and the appearance of the first symptoms
What is the prodrome period? - ANSWER-a period of nonspecific symptoms (fever,
malaise, loss of appetite)