Infectious Disease Exam 1 [2026] | Question and
Answer | UPDATED ACTUAL | FINAL REVIEW AND
UPDATED VERIFIED ANSWERS
• What are the three main mechanisms by which bacteria cause disease -✓✓ ,
Toxin production, tissue invasion, immune evasion
• What is a vector in infectious disease transmission -✓✓ , A living organism that
transmits pathogens between hosts
• What is a fomite in infectious disease transmission -✓✓ , A non-living object
that transmits pathogens
• What is a pathogen reservoir -✓✓ , The natural environment where a
microorganism lives and multiplies
• Why is patient history critical in diagnosing bacterial infections -✓✓ , Exposure,
timing, and host risk factors narrow the diagnosis before labs
• What is antimicrobial stewardship -✓✓ , Using antibiotics appropriately and
avoiding unnecessary use
• What exposure is most commonly associated with Bartonella henselae infection
-✓✓ , Cat scratch or bite
• What is the characteristic early skin finding in Bartonella henselae infection -✓✓
, Papule at the site of inoculation
, • What clinical finding typically develops 1-3 weeks after Bartonella henselae
infection -✓✓ , Regional lymphadenopathy
• What is the typical management for uncomplicated cat scratch disease caused
by Bartonella henselae -✓✓ , Supportive care with or without azithromycin
• What condition caused by Bartonella presents with vascular skin lesions in
immunocompromised patients -✓✓ , Bacillary angiomatosis
• What antibiotics are used to treat severe or systemic Bartonella infections -✓✓ ,
Doxycycline with or without rifampin
• What organism causes botulism -✓✓ , Clostridium botulinum
• What is the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin -✓✓ , Blocks acetylcholine
release at the neuromuscular junction
• What type of paralysis is seen in botulism -✓✓ , Descending flaccid paralysis
• What sensory findings are present in botulism -✓✓ , Sensation remains normal
• What exposures are commonly associated with foodborne botulism -✓✓ ,
Improperly canned foods
Answer | UPDATED ACTUAL | FINAL REVIEW AND
UPDATED VERIFIED ANSWERS
• What are the three main mechanisms by which bacteria cause disease -✓✓ ,
Toxin production, tissue invasion, immune evasion
• What is a vector in infectious disease transmission -✓✓ , A living organism that
transmits pathogens between hosts
• What is a fomite in infectious disease transmission -✓✓ , A non-living object
that transmits pathogens
• What is a pathogen reservoir -✓✓ , The natural environment where a
microorganism lives and multiplies
• Why is patient history critical in diagnosing bacterial infections -✓✓ , Exposure,
timing, and host risk factors narrow the diagnosis before labs
• What is antimicrobial stewardship -✓✓ , Using antibiotics appropriately and
avoiding unnecessary use
• What exposure is most commonly associated with Bartonella henselae infection
-✓✓ , Cat scratch or bite
• What is the characteristic early skin finding in Bartonella henselae infection -✓✓
, Papule at the site of inoculation
, • What clinical finding typically develops 1-3 weeks after Bartonella henselae
infection -✓✓ , Regional lymphadenopathy
• What is the typical management for uncomplicated cat scratch disease caused
by Bartonella henselae -✓✓ , Supportive care with or without azithromycin
• What condition caused by Bartonella presents with vascular skin lesions in
immunocompromised patients -✓✓ , Bacillary angiomatosis
• What antibiotics are used to treat severe or systemic Bartonella infections -✓✓ ,
Doxycycline with or without rifampin
• What organism causes botulism -✓✓ , Clostridium botulinum
• What is the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin -✓✓ , Blocks acetylcholine
release at the neuromuscular junction
• What type of paralysis is seen in botulism -✓✓ , Descending flaccid paralysis
• What sensory findings are present in botulism -✓✓ , Sensation remains normal
• What exposures are commonly associated with foodborne botulism -✓✓ ,
Improperly canned foods
