Bacteriology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A previously healthy 13-year-old girl is brought to the physician by her parents because of a 2-day history of low-grade fever, headache, nausea, and a sore throat. Examination of the oral cavity shows enlarged, erythematous tonsils with exudates and palatal petechiae. There is cervical lymphadenopathy. Her parents agree to her participating in a study of microbial virulence factors. A culture of the girl's throat is obtained and an organism is cultivated. The physician finds that the isolated organism is able to withstand phagocytosis when placed in fresh blood. The most likely explanation for this finding is the expression of which of the following?
Answer choices
- AIgA protease
- BProtein A
- CStreptolysin O
- DHyaluronidase
- EM ProteinCorrect answer
- FErythrogenic exotoxin A
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.