Pass the American Society of Microbiology ASM-ABMM ABMM Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

During a primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the virus establishes latency in B lymphocytes. The transition from lytic to latent infection is tightly regulated by viral gene expression. Which of the following viral proteins is crucial for the establishment and maintenance of EBV latency and is a key target in EBV-associated lymphomas?

A clinical microbiology laboratory is implementing a new multiplex nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for the detection of respiratory viral pathogens. To ensure the quantitative accuracy of the assay, it is essential to include:

A clinical microbiology laboratory is performing quality control on Gram stain reagents. A control slide containing Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus shows both organisms staining purple after the complete staining procedure. The MOST likely cause of this error is:

A patient with a history of heart valve replacement develops subacute bacterial endocarditis. Blood cultures grow a Gram-positive coccus that is alpha-hemolytic on blood agar, catalase-negative, and optochin-resistant. The MOST likely organism is:

A 55-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus develops a necrotizing fasciitis of his left lower extremity following a minor abrasion sustained while gardening. Initialcultures of the wound reveal a polymicrobial flora, including Gram-positive cocci in chains and Gram-negative bacilli. Over the next 48 hours, despite broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition deteriorates, and new bullae with hemorrhagic fluid appear. Gram stain of this fluid now predominantly shows large, Gram-positive bacilli with subterminal spores. Which of the following virulence factors is MOST likely contributing to the rapid tissue destruction observed in this patient?

A patient with a history of intravenous drug use develops a bloodstream infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing reveals resistance to methicillin. The mechanism of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is primarily mediated by:

The erm gene in Staphylococcus aureus confers resistance to which class(es) of antibiotics via modification of the ribosomal target site?

A microbiology laboratory is processing a sputum sample from a patient with chronic cough and night sweats. After Ziehl-Neelsen staining, acid-fast bacilli are observed. Culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium is positive after several weeks. Drug susceptibility testing reveals resistance to isoniazid and rifampin. This patient is MOST likely infected with:

Which serological marker pattern is most consistent with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection with high infectivity?

A patient with a history of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is being considered for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Pre-FMT screening of the donor stool sample should include comprehensive testing to exclude potential transmission of enteric pathogens. Which of the following would be the MOST critical to rule out in the donor stool?