Bacterial Infections USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 32 year old pregnant woman at 29 weeks gestation presents with fever, myalgias, and diarrhea after eating unpasteurized soft cheese. Two days later she develops headache and neck stiffness. Cerebrospinal fluid shows elevated opening pressure, elevated protein, low glucose, and neutrophilic pleocytosis. Which of the following properties is most characteristic of the causative organism?
Answer choices
- AProduction of urease and growth in acidic stomach environment
- BIntracellular motility via actin polymerizationCorrect answer
- CAcid fast cell wall rich in mycolic acids
- DFormation of pseudohyphae and budding yeast
- EPolysaccharide capsule visualized with India ink
- FFlagellar motility enhanced at temperatures below 30°C with decreased virulence at body temperature
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