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Microbiology For COMLEX Level 1 Exam 2026
| Comprehensive Q&A For Certification
Success
Mycoplasma cell wall - correct -answer-They have *NO cell wall*
-Therefore, meds that block peptidoglycan cell wall synthesis (penicillins,
cephalosporins) will *not work* on Mycoplasma spp.
Acute Rheumatic Fever - correct -answer-"JONES" criteria
-Child will present with *hx of sore throat* and *involuntary jerking movements*
*Sydenham's chorea)
S. aureus and pneumonia - correct -answer-Very common cause of *pneumonia*
in *alcoholics* or pts are risk for *aspiration*
-Sputum: *pink or salmon-colored*
Sporothrix schenokii - correct -answer-Dimorphic *fungus*
-Causes *subcutaneous mycosis* (cutaneous nodules that *spread along
lymphatics*)
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-Often tx'd by a *thorn prick*
N. gonorrhoae and *antigenic variation* - correct -answer-An infix w/ N.
gonorrhoae does *not* result in lasting immunity bc of the ability of these
bacteria to *modify their outer membrane proteins*
-This process is referred to as *antigenic variation*
Toxoplasmosis - correct -answer-*Multiple ring-enhancing lesions on brain MRI*
-Often seen in immunocompromised pos (*HIV*) or hx or *cats*
-Tx: *Pyramethanine + sulfadiazine*
Primary vs Secondary TB - correct -answer-A) Primary TB
-Pts often *asymptomatic*
-*(+) PPD* test
-Formation of the *Ghon complex/foci* in the *LOWER* lung lobes
B) Secondary TB (reactivaton)
-Occurs in *immunosuppressed* pos
-Characterized by *APICAL/UPPER* lung cavitary lesions
-Pts are *symptomatic* (i.e. fever, chills, hemoptysis)
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How does Mycobacterium TB confer resistance to antibiotics? - correct -answer-It
alters the structure of bacterial *ribosomal proteins*
-Drugs for TB work on the *30S subunit*
-So, Mycobacterium TB can change the ribosomal proteins to confer resistance
Congenital syphilis - correct -answer-T. pallidum pallidum
Pott Disease - correct -answer-Caused by *M. tuberculosis*
-Form of *vertebral osteomyelitis*
-C.P.: night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, chronic low back pain
-Histology: *caseating granuloma* (remember, its caused by M. tuberculosis)
3 stages of Bordatella pertussis infection - correct -answer-1) Catarrhal stage
-Cough with nonspecific symptoms
-Stage that is *most contagious*
2) Paroxysmal stage
-Characteristic *whooping cough*
Microbiology For COMLEX Level 1 Exam 2026
| Comprehensive Q&A For Certification
Success
Mycoplasma cell wall - correct -answer-They have *NO cell wall*
-Therefore, meds that block peptidoglycan cell wall synthesis (penicillins,
cephalosporins) will *not work* on Mycoplasma spp.
Acute Rheumatic Fever - correct -answer-"JONES" criteria
-Child will present with *hx of sore throat* and *involuntary jerking movements*
*Sydenham's chorea)
S. aureus and pneumonia - correct -answer-Very common cause of *pneumonia*
in *alcoholics* or pts are risk for *aspiration*
-Sputum: *pink or salmon-colored*
Sporothrix schenokii - correct -answer-Dimorphic *fungus*
-Causes *subcutaneous mycosis* (cutaneous nodules that *spread along
lymphatics*)
,2|Page
-Often tx'd by a *thorn prick*
N. gonorrhoae and *antigenic variation* - correct -answer-An infix w/ N.
gonorrhoae does *not* result in lasting immunity bc of the ability of these
bacteria to *modify their outer membrane proteins*
-This process is referred to as *antigenic variation*
Toxoplasmosis - correct -answer-*Multiple ring-enhancing lesions on brain MRI*
-Often seen in immunocompromised pos (*HIV*) or hx or *cats*
-Tx: *Pyramethanine + sulfadiazine*
Primary vs Secondary TB - correct -answer-A) Primary TB
-Pts often *asymptomatic*
-*(+) PPD* test
-Formation of the *Ghon complex/foci* in the *LOWER* lung lobes
B) Secondary TB (reactivaton)
-Occurs in *immunosuppressed* pos
-Characterized by *APICAL/UPPER* lung cavitary lesions
-Pts are *symptomatic* (i.e. fever, chills, hemoptysis)
, 3|Page
How does Mycobacterium TB confer resistance to antibiotics? - correct -answer-It
alters the structure of bacterial *ribosomal proteins*
-Drugs for TB work on the *30S subunit*
-So, Mycobacterium TB can change the ribosomal proteins to confer resistance
Congenital syphilis - correct -answer-T. pallidum pallidum
Pott Disease - correct -answer-Caused by *M. tuberculosis*
-Form of *vertebral osteomyelitis*
-C.P.: night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, chronic low back pain
-Histology: *caseating granuloma* (remember, its caused by M. tuberculosis)
3 stages of Bordatella pertussis infection - correct -answer-1) Catarrhal stage
-Cough with nonspecific symptoms
-Stage that is *most contagious*
2) Paroxysmal stage
-Characteristic *whooping cough*
