Master Your GTC Microbiology Final:
Comprehensive Review Tips.
An Ultimate Exam Study Guide Current Updated
edition 2025
What is septicemia? - ansa systematic disease caused by presence of pathogenic
microorganisms or toxins in the blood
How does it differ from bacteremia? - ansbacteremia is bacteria in the blood. Septicemia is
the presence of microoganisms in the blood.
What is the cause of endotoxic shock? - ansthe LPS layer of gram negative bacteria contains
endotoxins that are released when large amounts of gram negative bacteria are killed- thus
leading to endotoxic shock.
What is the cause of puerperal fever? - ansStrep. pyogenes
Explain how rheumatic fever develops? - ansrheumatic fever is caused by a Strep. pyogenes
infection. It's a sequelae - or aftermath of the disease.
What type of hypersensitivity is that? - anstype 3- immunocomplex
Name two types of bacteria that cause acute bacterial endocarditis: - ansStaph aureus, Strep
pneumonia, viridians streptococcus
What causes cat scratch fever? - ansBartonella
Name the signs of cat scratch fever: - anslymph node enlargement in children
What does it mean that the disease often is "subclinical"? - ansit means that there are no
apparent symptoms or signs
Name the causative agent in plague: - ansYersinia
What is a buboe? - anslymph node enlargement
What type of plague has the highest mortality? - anspneumonic- 100% mortality within 3
days
How does transmission of plague occur? - ansbubonic: through flea bites that were infected
by rodents. pneumonic: through human to human contact
Can the plague be treated? - ansyes- streptomycin and tetracycline
Name the bacteria that cause lyme disease: - ansBorrelia
How is it transmitted? - anstick bites
Is a bull's eye rash always seen? - ansin 80% of the cases
What is the bull's eye rash? - ansErythema Migrans-it is not always a bullseye and is not
always the site of the tick bite
Can lyme disease be treated? - ansyes- penicillins, tetracyclines or cephalosporins are
effective in the first phase. Later phases are difficult to treat.
What are some late manifestations of lyme disease? - anslyme disease can cause arthritis
(stage 3) and nervous/cardiovascular system problems (stage 2)
How is Rocky Mountain spotted fever transmitted? - ansthrough tick bites
Which bacterium causes RMSF? - ansRickettsia
What type of rash is seen in RMSF? - anspetechiae
What are other symptoms? - ansheadache, vomiting, fever, muscle pain, nausea, abdominal
pain
How serious is RMSF? - ansit is very serious. It can be fatal if not treated- it can cause multi-
system organ failure.
What is the cause of "mono"? - ansEpstein Barr virus
Which cells are involved in mono? - ansB lymphocyte
Characterize the virus that causes this disease: - ansdsDNA/enveloped
Why is this called a "persistent" infection? - ansit's called persistent because it invades many
organs such as the liver, heart and kidneys
,Master Your GTC Microbiology Final:
Comprehensive Review Tips.
An Ultimate Exam Study Guide Current Updated
edition 2025
How is it transmitted? - ansthrough saliva
What is the cause of Burkitt's lymphoma? - ansEpstein Barr virus
What are the signs? - ansnight sweats, high fever, weight loss, pain, malaise, diarrhea, and
enlarged lymph nodes.
Who is most at risk for CMV infections? - ansimmunocompromised people
What does CMV stand for? - ansCytomegaly virus
What does it mean that this disease is often "subclinical"? - ansit means that there are no
signs or symptoms in most people
Name a viral hemorrhagic fever: - ansDengue fever, yellow fever or Ebola fever
Name the agent that causes malaria: - ansPlasmodium vivax
How is it transmitted? - ansthrough a mosquito bite-->liver-->red blood cell
What types of symptoms and signs are seen? - ansintervals of high fever, anemia, fatigue,
jaundice
Is there treatment? What is it? - ansyes- the antiprotozoan drug chloroquine
What is the concern in infections with Toxoplasma? - ansit is teratogenic and can cause birth
defects in unborn babies if a pregnant woman contracts it.
Where do these infections come from? - ansfrom cat feces-->soil-->plants-->animals--
>humans (eating meat not fully cooked)
Name all of the teratogenic agents signified by the acronym TORCH: - ansToxoplasma,
Rubella, Cytomegaly, Herpes
Name a helminth that causes granulomas to form in mulit-organ systems: - ansSchistosoma
How do "trench mouth" and "thrush mouth" differ? - ans"Trench mouth" = acute necrotizing
gingivitis- the overgrowth of certain bacteria with bleeding gums, ulceration, fever and pain.
It is caused by Strep. mutans. "Thrush mouth" is caused by an overgrowth of Candida
albicans- a yeast. It causes creamy white lesions, usually on your tongue or inner cheeks.
Name the common cause of dental caries: - ansStrep. mutans
Name the cause of "cold sores": - ansHSV1
Is that eveloped or non enveloped virus? - ansenveloped
Name the disease that has parotid swelling as a sign: - ansMumps
Is this caused by a RNA or DNA virus? - ansssRNA - Paramyxoviridae
Why is there a vaccine against this illness? What is the concern? - ansit can involve the
gonads and lead to sterility
How is this transmitted? - anssaliva
Name the bacterial cause of the stomach ulcer: - ansHelicobacter pylori
Which enzyme does this bacterium make? - ansurease
How is it treated? - answith antibiotic therapy
Name the genus that causes cholera: - ansVibrio cholera
How is it transmitted? - ansfecal-oral
What are the signs? - ansmassive diarrhea (up to 20 L a day!), rice water stool
What does the cholera toxin cause? - ansit causes ion secretion between the villi - the water
will follow the ions thus causing dehydration
How is it treated? - ansrehydration and tetracycline-
Why or why not antibiotics effective? - ansbecause the disease is due to the toxin.
Name the genus that causes dysentery: - ansShigella
,Master Your GTC Microbiology Final:
Comprehensive Review Tips.
An Ultimate Exam Study Guide Current Updated
edition 2025
What does it mean that this disease has a low ID50? - ansit only takes a few organisms to
cause disease
How is it transmitted? - ansfecal oral
What are the signs and symptoms? - ansfever, diarrhea, blood, abdominal cramps
Gram positive or Gram negative? - ansgram negative
Where in the body can Salmonella bacteria persist? - ansit can multiply in the epithelium of
intestinal wall
Is salmonellosis treated with antibiotics? - ansno- only symptomatic
Why or why not? - ansantibiotics may prolong the period during which the person can infect
others
What is the causative agent in "Dehli belly"? - ansE. coli
What type of E. coli is especially dangerous? - ansenterohemorrhagic O157:H7
What is the cause of typhoid fever? - ansSalmonella typhi
Human carriers carry this bacteria in which organ? - ansin the gall bladder
What is the ID50 of this disease? - anslow- it only takes a few to cause sickness
Name three common causes of food poisonings though toxins: - ansStaph. aureus,
Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium botulinum
Which would you most likely suspect in mayonnaise? - ansStaphylococcus aureus
Name a bacterium that is leading cause of food poisoning from chicken: - ansClostridium
perfringens
Name the type of hepatitis that is transmitted through fecal oral route: - ansHep. A, Hep. E.
Name the type of hepatitis that can be present in oysters or clams: - ansHep. A
Name the type of hepatitis that are transmitted through the blood: - ansHep. B, C
Name the type of hepatitis that can lead to liver cancer: - ansHep. B, C
Name the type of hepatitis that can be prevented through vaccine: - ansHep. A, B
Name the type of hepatitis that occurs with Hepatitis B and leads to severe infection: -
ansHep. D
What is a Dane particle? - ansAllows identification of Hep. B-->complete virions in the
blood, but also filamentous and spherical particles.
Name two other viruses that can cause liver inflammation: - ansHep. E, CMV
Which virus has caused recent outbreaks of gastroenteritis on cruise ships? - ansNorovirus
Name protozoan GI infections that can be contracted through drinking contaminated water: -
ansgiardiasis, cryptosporidosis, and amebiasis
Which part of the tapeworm attaches to the abdominal wall? - ansscolex
How is a tapeworm contracted? - ansfrom meat with worm larvae
Which parts of the urinary system normally contain bacteria? - ansnone
What are common causes of cystitis? - ansE. coli, Proteus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, and
Enterococcus
Why is catheterization an issue? - ansbecause catheters can introduce bacteria into the sterile
environment of the urinary tract
How is cystitis treated? - ansantimicrobial depending on cause- usually sulfa drugs
How is leptospirosis transmitted? - ansenters body trough break in the skin or membranes-
from animal urine in water
Name the agent that causes gonorrhea: - ansNeisseria gonorrhea
What is the incubation time? - ans2-5 days
, Master Your GTC Microbiology Final:
Comprehensive Review Tips.
An Ultimate Exam Study Guide Current Updated
edition 2025
What is a sign of this disease in men and women? - ansMen: painful urination, discharge with
pus; Women: often asymptomatic-
What can be a sequelae in women if the disease is not treated? - anspelvic inflammatory
disease- then scar tissue - then tubal pregnancy
How is this disease treated? - anspenicillin, tetracycline, quinolones
Which organs can be affected in disseminated gonorrhea? - ansit causes rash, arthritis and
endocarditis
Name an agent that causes a similar non-gonococcal STD: - ansTreponema pallidum
Name the disease caused by Treponema pallidum: - anssyphillis
What shape does this organism have? - ansspirochete
What is primary syphillis? - ansthe 1st stage of syphillis.
What is the sign of disease? - anschancre (hard, not painful)- can disappear on it's own after
4-6 weeks. The chancre is full of spirochetes.
What signs are seen in secondary syphillis? - ansrash, sore throat, varied symptoms
Can primary and secondary syphillis be treated? How? - ansyes, penicillin
What is tertiary syphillis? - ans50% of untreated secondary cases. Pt. is not infectious- rather
a hypersensitivity reaction
What is a gumma? - anstissue masses on skin and internal organs
Can tertiary syphillis be treated? - ansno
What type of deformity is seen in congenital syphillis? - ansdeformities of face and teeth- it
can cross the placent especially after the 4th month
How are Treponema viewed under the microscope? - ansthey can be seen in the darkfield
microscope. They don't stain well and they are so skinny, you can't see them with a
conventional microscope.
Name a genus that causes Chancroid: - ansHemophilus ducreyi
Name the virus that causes genital herpes: - ansHSV2
Where is this virus typically latent? - ansthe sacral nerve ganglion
How is it transmitted? - ansmucus sections and lesions
When is it transmitted? - ansanytime- even when there are no symptoms
Name the virus that causes genital warts: - ansPapilloma
Is this an enveloped virus? - ansyes
RNA or DNA? - ansdsDNA
What is a concern about genital warts? - ansthey can be oncogenic
How long is the incubation period for HIV infections? - anslong
What does it mean to say that HIV belongs to the Retroviridae? - ansIt belongs to the
retroviridae family because it contains a special enzyme called reverse transcriptase which
allows the single stranded RNA virus to revert to a double stranded DNA virus.
Which cell does this virus infect? - anst-helper
Name three disease that are seen in progressive infections: - ansCMV infections, Herpes
diseases of CNS, pneumocystis penumonia, TB, cryptococcal meningitis
How does AZT work? - ansit's a base analog- it causes missense mutations by inserting the
wrong base
Name a bacterium that causes vaginitis but is not sexually transmitted: - ansGarderella
vaginalis
Comprehensive Review Tips.
An Ultimate Exam Study Guide Current Updated
edition 2025
What is septicemia? - ansa systematic disease caused by presence of pathogenic
microorganisms or toxins in the blood
How does it differ from bacteremia? - ansbacteremia is bacteria in the blood. Septicemia is
the presence of microoganisms in the blood.
What is the cause of endotoxic shock? - ansthe LPS layer of gram negative bacteria contains
endotoxins that are released when large amounts of gram negative bacteria are killed- thus
leading to endotoxic shock.
What is the cause of puerperal fever? - ansStrep. pyogenes
Explain how rheumatic fever develops? - ansrheumatic fever is caused by a Strep. pyogenes
infection. It's a sequelae - or aftermath of the disease.
What type of hypersensitivity is that? - anstype 3- immunocomplex
Name two types of bacteria that cause acute bacterial endocarditis: - ansStaph aureus, Strep
pneumonia, viridians streptococcus
What causes cat scratch fever? - ansBartonella
Name the signs of cat scratch fever: - anslymph node enlargement in children
What does it mean that the disease often is "subclinical"? - ansit means that there are no
apparent symptoms or signs
Name the causative agent in plague: - ansYersinia
What is a buboe? - anslymph node enlargement
What type of plague has the highest mortality? - anspneumonic- 100% mortality within 3
days
How does transmission of plague occur? - ansbubonic: through flea bites that were infected
by rodents. pneumonic: through human to human contact
Can the plague be treated? - ansyes- streptomycin and tetracycline
Name the bacteria that cause lyme disease: - ansBorrelia
How is it transmitted? - anstick bites
Is a bull's eye rash always seen? - ansin 80% of the cases
What is the bull's eye rash? - ansErythema Migrans-it is not always a bullseye and is not
always the site of the tick bite
Can lyme disease be treated? - ansyes- penicillins, tetracyclines or cephalosporins are
effective in the first phase. Later phases are difficult to treat.
What are some late manifestations of lyme disease? - anslyme disease can cause arthritis
(stage 3) and nervous/cardiovascular system problems (stage 2)
How is Rocky Mountain spotted fever transmitted? - ansthrough tick bites
Which bacterium causes RMSF? - ansRickettsia
What type of rash is seen in RMSF? - anspetechiae
What are other symptoms? - ansheadache, vomiting, fever, muscle pain, nausea, abdominal
pain
How serious is RMSF? - ansit is very serious. It can be fatal if not treated- it can cause multi-
system organ failure.
What is the cause of "mono"? - ansEpstein Barr virus
Which cells are involved in mono? - ansB lymphocyte
Characterize the virus that causes this disease: - ansdsDNA/enveloped
Why is this called a "persistent" infection? - ansit's called persistent because it invades many
organs such as the liver, heart and kidneys
,Master Your GTC Microbiology Final:
Comprehensive Review Tips.
An Ultimate Exam Study Guide Current Updated
edition 2025
How is it transmitted? - ansthrough saliva
What is the cause of Burkitt's lymphoma? - ansEpstein Barr virus
What are the signs? - ansnight sweats, high fever, weight loss, pain, malaise, diarrhea, and
enlarged lymph nodes.
Who is most at risk for CMV infections? - ansimmunocompromised people
What does CMV stand for? - ansCytomegaly virus
What does it mean that this disease is often "subclinical"? - ansit means that there are no
signs or symptoms in most people
Name a viral hemorrhagic fever: - ansDengue fever, yellow fever or Ebola fever
Name the agent that causes malaria: - ansPlasmodium vivax
How is it transmitted? - ansthrough a mosquito bite-->liver-->red blood cell
What types of symptoms and signs are seen? - ansintervals of high fever, anemia, fatigue,
jaundice
Is there treatment? What is it? - ansyes- the antiprotozoan drug chloroquine
What is the concern in infections with Toxoplasma? - ansit is teratogenic and can cause birth
defects in unborn babies if a pregnant woman contracts it.
Where do these infections come from? - ansfrom cat feces-->soil-->plants-->animals--
>humans (eating meat not fully cooked)
Name all of the teratogenic agents signified by the acronym TORCH: - ansToxoplasma,
Rubella, Cytomegaly, Herpes
Name a helminth that causes granulomas to form in mulit-organ systems: - ansSchistosoma
How do "trench mouth" and "thrush mouth" differ? - ans"Trench mouth" = acute necrotizing
gingivitis- the overgrowth of certain bacteria with bleeding gums, ulceration, fever and pain.
It is caused by Strep. mutans. "Thrush mouth" is caused by an overgrowth of Candida
albicans- a yeast. It causes creamy white lesions, usually on your tongue or inner cheeks.
Name the common cause of dental caries: - ansStrep. mutans
Name the cause of "cold sores": - ansHSV1
Is that eveloped or non enveloped virus? - ansenveloped
Name the disease that has parotid swelling as a sign: - ansMumps
Is this caused by a RNA or DNA virus? - ansssRNA - Paramyxoviridae
Why is there a vaccine against this illness? What is the concern? - ansit can involve the
gonads and lead to sterility
How is this transmitted? - anssaliva
Name the bacterial cause of the stomach ulcer: - ansHelicobacter pylori
Which enzyme does this bacterium make? - ansurease
How is it treated? - answith antibiotic therapy
Name the genus that causes cholera: - ansVibrio cholera
How is it transmitted? - ansfecal-oral
What are the signs? - ansmassive diarrhea (up to 20 L a day!), rice water stool
What does the cholera toxin cause? - ansit causes ion secretion between the villi - the water
will follow the ions thus causing dehydration
How is it treated? - ansrehydration and tetracycline-
Why or why not antibiotics effective? - ansbecause the disease is due to the toxin.
Name the genus that causes dysentery: - ansShigella
,Master Your GTC Microbiology Final:
Comprehensive Review Tips.
An Ultimate Exam Study Guide Current Updated
edition 2025
What does it mean that this disease has a low ID50? - ansit only takes a few organisms to
cause disease
How is it transmitted? - ansfecal oral
What are the signs and symptoms? - ansfever, diarrhea, blood, abdominal cramps
Gram positive or Gram negative? - ansgram negative
Where in the body can Salmonella bacteria persist? - ansit can multiply in the epithelium of
intestinal wall
Is salmonellosis treated with antibiotics? - ansno- only symptomatic
Why or why not? - ansantibiotics may prolong the period during which the person can infect
others
What is the causative agent in "Dehli belly"? - ansE. coli
What type of E. coli is especially dangerous? - ansenterohemorrhagic O157:H7
What is the cause of typhoid fever? - ansSalmonella typhi
Human carriers carry this bacteria in which organ? - ansin the gall bladder
What is the ID50 of this disease? - anslow- it only takes a few to cause sickness
Name three common causes of food poisonings though toxins: - ansStaph. aureus,
Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium botulinum
Which would you most likely suspect in mayonnaise? - ansStaphylococcus aureus
Name a bacterium that is leading cause of food poisoning from chicken: - ansClostridium
perfringens
Name the type of hepatitis that is transmitted through fecal oral route: - ansHep. A, Hep. E.
Name the type of hepatitis that can be present in oysters or clams: - ansHep. A
Name the type of hepatitis that are transmitted through the blood: - ansHep. B, C
Name the type of hepatitis that can lead to liver cancer: - ansHep. B, C
Name the type of hepatitis that can be prevented through vaccine: - ansHep. A, B
Name the type of hepatitis that occurs with Hepatitis B and leads to severe infection: -
ansHep. D
What is a Dane particle? - ansAllows identification of Hep. B-->complete virions in the
blood, but also filamentous and spherical particles.
Name two other viruses that can cause liver inflammation: - ansHep. E, CMV
Which virus has caused recent outbreaks of gastroenteritis on cruise ships? - ansNorovirus
Name protozoan GI infections that can be contracted through drinking contaminated water: -
ansgiardiasis, cryptosporidosis, and amebiasis
Which part of the tapeworm attaches to the abdominal wall? - ansscolex
How is a tapeworm contracted? - ansfrom meat with worm larvae
Which parts of the urinary system normally contain bacteria? - ansnone
What are common causes of cystitis? - ansE. coli, Proteus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, and
Enterococcus
Why is catheterization an issue? - ansbecause catheters can introduce bacteria into the sterile
environment of the urinary tract
How is cystitis treated? - ansantimicrobial depending on cause- usually sulfa drugs
How is leptospirosis transmitted? - ansenters body trough break in the skin or membranes-
from animal urine in water
Name the agent that causes gonorrhea: - ansNeisseria gonorrhea
What is the incubation time? - ans2-5 days
, Master Your GTC Microbiology Final:
Comprehensive Review Tips.
An Ultimate Exam Study Guide Current Updated
edition 2025
What is a sign of this disease in men and women? - ansMen: painful urination, discharge with
pus; Women: often asymptomatic-
What can be a sequelae in women if the disease is not treated? - anspelvic inflammatory
disease- then scar tissue - then tubal pregnancy
How is this disease treated? - anspenicillin, tetracycline, quinolones
Which organs can be affected in disseminated gonorrhea? - ansit causes rash, arthritis and
endocarditis
Name an agent that causes a similar non-gonococcal STD: - ansTreponema pallidum
Name the disease caused by Treponema pallidum: - anssyphillis
What shape does this organism have? - ansspirochete
What is primary syphillis? - ansthe 1st stage of syphillis.
What is the sign of disease? - anschancre (hard, not painful)- can disappear on it's own after
4-6 weeks. The chancre is full of spirochetes.
What signs are seen in secondary syphillis? - ansrash, sore throat, varied symptoms
Can primary and secondary syphillis be treated? How? - ansyes, penicillin
What is tertiary syphillis? - ans50% of untreated secondary cases. Pt. is not infectious- rather
a hypersensitivity reaction
What is a gumma? - anstissue masses on skin and internal organs
Can tertiary syphillis be treated? - ansno
What type of deformity is seen in congenital syphillis? - ansdeformities of face and teeth- it
can cross the placent especially after the 4th month
How are Treponema viewed under the microscope? - ansthey can be seen in the darkfield
microscope. They don't stain well and they are so skinny, you can't see them with a
conventional microscope.
Name a genus that causes Chancroid: - ansHemophilus ducreyi
Name the virus that causes genital herpes: - ansHSV2
Where is this virus typically latent? - ansthe sacral nerve ganglion
How is it transmitted? - ansmucus sections and lesions
When is it transmitted? - ansanytime- even when there are no symptoms
Name the virus that causes genital warts: - ansPapilloma
Is this an enveloped virus? - ansyes
RNA or DNA? - ansdsDNA
What is a concern about genital warts? - ansthey can be oncogenic
How long is the incubation period for HIV infections? - anslong
What does it mean to say that HIV belongs to the Retroviridae? - ansIt belongs to the
retroviridae family because it contains a special enzyme called reverse transcriptase which
allows the single stranded RNA virus to revert to a double stranded DNA virus.
Which cell does this virus infect? - anst-helper
Name three disease that are seen in progressive infections: - ansCMV infections, Herpes
diseases of CNS, pneumocystis penumonia, TB, cryptococcal meningitis
How does AZT work? - ansit's a base analog- it causes missense mutations by inserting the
wrong base
Name a bacterium that causes vaginitis but is not sexually transmitted: - ansGarderella
vaginalis
