American Society of Microbiology ABMM - ABMM Exam Practice Test
Lyme disease, characterized initially by erythema migrans, is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. What is the primary arthropod vector responsible for transmitting this spirochete to humans in the Northeastern United States?
Correct Answer: C
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A clinical microbiology laboratory is implementing a new real-time PCR assay for the direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urine samples. To ensure the accuracy of negative results, it is essential to include:
Correct Answer: A
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A research team is investigating the host immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. They discover that a specific mycobacterial glycolipid inhibits the maturation of phagosomes containing the bacteria, preventing their fusion with lysosomes. This mechanism allows M. tuberculosis to:
Correct Answer: C
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A patient develops a severe skin infection after a puncture wound sustained while gardening. Culture of the wound exudate grows a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacillus that is anaerobic and produces a potent neurotoxin causing sustained muscle contraction. The MOST likely organism is:
Correct Answer: C
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A clinical microbiology laboratory is validating a new point-of-care test for the rapid detection of influenza A and B viruses. To accurately determine the clinical sensitivity of the test, it should be compared to a gold standard method using:
Correct Answer: D
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A foodborne outbreak is suspected after several individuals who attended a potluck dinner develop nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps within 1-6 hours of eating. No fever or diarrhea is reported. The MOST likely bacterial toxin involved is:
Correct Answer: B
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Vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecium, mediated by the vanA gene cluster, results from:
Correct Answer: B
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What is considered the "gold standard" for routine monitoring of the lethality of steam sterilization (autoclave) cycles in healthcare facilities?
Correct Answer: A
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A clinical microbiology laboratory is performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing on a Streptococcus pneumoniae isolate recovered from a patient with meningitis. The isolate shows reduced susceptibility to penicillin (MIC = 2 µg/mL). The MOST likely mechanism for this reduced susceptibility is:
Correct Answer: A
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A clinical microbiology laboratory is performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the broth microdilution method. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) is determined by:
Correct Answer: C
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A patient with a history of liver transplantation develops a bloodstream infection with a Gram-negative bacterium. The isolate is identified as Sphingomonas paucimobilis. This opportunistic pathogen is known for its ability to:
Correct Answer: D
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