microbiology basic and clinical principles test bank Related

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A blood culture from a patient with sepsis revealed Gram-negative diplococci. The bacteria were oxidase-positive and fermentative. What is the most likely causative agent?

  • A. Neisseria meningitidis
  • B. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • C. Moraxella catarrhalis
  • D. Haemophilus influenzae
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neisseria meningitidis. Step 1: Gram-negative diplococci - characteristic of Neisseria species. Step 2: Oxidase-positive - Neisseria species are oxidase-positive. Step 3: Fermentative - Neisseria meningitidis is a fermentative bacterium. Therefore, Neisseria meningitidis is the most likely causative agent.

Summary:
- B: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is also a Neisseria species but is not fermentative.
- C: Moraxella catarrhalis is oxidase-positive but not fermentative.
- D: Haemophilus influenzae is not a Neisseria species and is not typically fermentative.