MICROBIOLOGY

PAPER I
Section I - mainly General Micro and Immunology
Q1. Long note (LN): 1 compulsory question [6 marks]
Q2. Write briefly on (WBO): 2 compulsory questions [3 marks each]
Q3. Short notes (SN): choose any 2 of 4 questions [4 marks each]
Section II- mainly Bacteriology
Q4. Case: 1 compulsory question [6 marks]
Q5. Write briefly on (WBO): 2 compulsory questions [3 marks each]
Q6. Short notes (SN): choose any 2 of 4 questions [4 marks each]

PAPER II
Section I
Q1. Long note (LN): 1 compulsory question [6 marks] (usually from Parasitology)
Q2. Write briefly on (WBO): 2 compulsory questions [3 marks each] (usually from Parasitology)
Q3. Short notes (SN): choose any 2 of 4 questions [4 marks each] (usually 2 Parasitology and 2
Mycology options)
Q4. Long note (LN): 1 compulsory question [6 marks] (usually from Virology)
Q5. Write briefly on (WBO): 2 compulsory questions [3 marks each] (usually from Virology)
Q6. Short notes (SN): choose any 2 of 4 questions [4 marks each] (usually 2 Virology and 2
Mycology options)

Note: The division of the portion between the questions is based on the average distribution in
previous papers and may not always hold true. Applied and Clinical Microbiology questions are
randomly asked in any Section of either paper.

“@” symbol before any question indicates that it has been repeated in previous papers. The
more the number of @ before a question, the more the number of times it has been repeated.
Refer to the journal too for some answers.
Refer to the journal for answers too.
LD- abbreviation for “Lab Diagnosis”

GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY
Introduction and Bacterial Taxonomy
WBO Louis Pasteur
SN: Robert Koch

Morphology and Physiology of Bacteria

@@ Draw a neat labeled diagram of an idealized bacterial cell (part of a LN)
@ Describe the structure of a bacterial cell (part of a LN)
@ SN/ part of a LN: Bacterial cell wall
SN: Plasmids (also refer to Bacterial Genetics and Infection)
@ SN/ WBO: Bacterial spore
WBO Bacterial growth curve
SN: Growth requirements of bacteria

Sterilisation and Disinfection

LN: Define sterilization. Describe in detail the physical methods of sterilization.
WBO Hot air oven
WBO Moist heat methods of sterilization
@ SN: Autoclave
SN: Bacterial filters
@ WBO/ SN: Chemical disinfectants

Culture Media
LN: Classify culture media and elaborate on special media
SN: Ideal culture media
@ SN: Blood culture/ Blood culture as a diagnostic tool

Culture Methods
WBO Methods of anaerobic culture

Identification of Bacteria
No questions asked

Bacterial Genetics
@@ SN: Mutation (also refer to General Properties of Viruses)
@ WBO conjugation of bacteria
SN: Bacterial drug resistance
SN: Plasmids

IMMUNOLOGY
Infection
WBO methods of transmission of infection to man
@@ LN: Define virulence and pathogenicity. Elaborate on factors predisposing/contributing to
microbial pathogenicity. OR Discuss the various virulence markers in bacteria and describe their
role in pathogenesis of a disease.
@ SN: Bacterial toxins

Immunity
SN: Mechanisms of innate immunity
SN: Active immunity
SN: Passive immunity
SN: Vaccines

Antigens
SN: Determinants of antigenicity of an antigen

Antibodies- Immunoglobulins
No questions asked

Antigen- Antibody Reactions

LN: What is the difference between agglutination and precipitation reactions? Describe various
precipitation reactions giving examples.
@ WBO: Agglutination reactions
SN: Immunofluorescence and its applications
SN: Complement fixation test
@ SN: ELISA

Complement System
SN: Complement
@ WBO Classical complement pathway and its biological significance
SN: Alternate complement pathway

Structure and Functions of the Immune System

@ SN: Central lymphoid organs
SN: Peripheral lymphoid organs
@ WBO T lymphocytes OR Role of T lymphocytes in immunity

Immune Response
SN: Primary and secondary immune response
@ WBO/SN: Cytokines
@@ SN: Interferon OR Interferons and their therapeutic applications
Hypersensitivity
LN: Define Hypersensitivity and classify hypersensitivity reactions. Describe type I
Hypersensitivity in detail.
SN: Anaphylaxis
SN: Delayed hypersensitivity

Immunodeficiency diseases
No questions asked

Autoimmunity
@@ SN: Autoimmunity

Immunology of Transplantation and Malignancy

No questions asked

Immunohematology
No questions asked

BACTERIOLOGY
Staphylococcus
WBO morphology and cultural characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus
@ SN/WBO: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
@ SN: Enzymes and toxins of Staphylococcus aureus
WBO LD of abscess of hand caused by Staphylococcus aureus
SN: Coagulase test

Streptococcus
SN: Classify Streptococci and add a note on diseases caused by Streptococcus pyogenes
WBO Morphology and cultural characteristics of Streptococcus pyogenes
WBO enzymes and toxins produced by Streptococcus pyogenes
WBO non-suppurative post Streptococcal sequelae

Pneumococcus
@@ WBO/part of a case: morphology of Streptococcus pneumoniae
@ Describe the cultural characteristics of Streptococcal pneumoniae (part of a case)
@ WBO/ part of a case: LD of pneumococcal pneumonia
Pathogenicity of Streptococcus pneumonia (part of a WBO)
Case:
9 year old boy
H/O- high grade fever, projectile vomiting
O/E- Kernig’s sign was positive
Enumerate common bacterial agents giving this type of presentation. Describe the morphology
and cultural characteristics of one of the commonest agent responsible for this condition. Add a
note on LD of the same. (refer to Meningitis too)

Neisseria
SN: Morphology and cultural characteristics of Neisseria meningitides
WBO LD of Gonorrhea

Corynebacterium
@ Case on Corynebacterium diptheriae:
13 year old boy
Fever, tachycardia, bull neck face
O/E: patient was toxic, a leathery patch was seen on the tonsils.
OR
5 year old child
H/O pain in throat, difficulty swallowing, high grade fever x 2 days
O/E: he was toxic, cervical lymphadenopathy, tonsillar pillars were covered by a grey white
membrane which bled on touch.
His vaccination card showed incomplete immunization.
What is the likely condition he is suffering from? What is the most likely bacterial agent
responsible for this condition? Outline in detail LD of this condition.
Part of a case: Describe the morphology and cultural characters of Corynebacterium diptheriae.

Bacillus
SN: Clinical presentation and LD of Anthrax

Anaerobic Bacteria I: Clostridium

@@ SN: LD of gas gangrene
WBO LD of tetanus

Anaerobic Bacteria II: Non Sporing Anaerobes

@@@ SN: Non sporing Anaerobes

Enterobacteriaceae I: Coliforms- Proteus

@ Case:
28 year old lady
Burning micturation associated with high grade fever x 2 days
Urine examination: presence of numerous pus cells and few RBCs
OR
50 year old female
Fever, burning micturation, increased frequency of urination x 3 days
Urine microscopy: Increased numerous organisms, pus cells, RBCs
What is she suffering from? Enumerate common organism responsible for this condition.
Describe in detail LD of this condition. (refer to Urinary Tract Infections too)
@ SN: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli
Enterobacteriaceae II: Shigella
SN: Shigellosis
WBO LD of bacillary dysentery

Enterobacterciaceae III: Salmonella

SN: Antigenic structure and antigenic variations in Salmonella
@ WBO LD of enteric fever
SN: Widal test

Vibrio
@ Part of a case:
35 year old male
H/O profuse watery diarrhea 10-15 times a day since 2 days associated with 2-3 bouts of
vomiting per day
No H/O fever, abdominal pain, passage of blood in stools
O/E: moderately dehydrated
OR
10 year old boy
Dehydration, shock
H/O: profuse, painless, watery diarrhea 10-15 times a day since 2 days, effortless vomiting 3-4
times a day
What is the most likely bacterial agent responsible for his condition? Describe the morphology
of the causative agent.
@ SN/ Part of a case: Discuss the LD of Cholera
Describe the cultural characteristics and biochemical reaction of Vibrio cholera (part of a case)

Pseudomonas
SN: Melioidosis
Yersinia, Pasteurella, Francisella
SN: LD of plague in humans

Haemophilus
WBO Haemophilus influenza
WBO LD of meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenza

Bordetella
No questions asked

Brucella
@ WBO: LD of Brucellosis

Mycobacterium I: M. tuberculosis
Part of a case:
45 year old male
Chronic productive cough with low grade fever x 4 months, weight loss, night sweating
What is the infection he is suffering from? What is the causative organism?
@ Part of a SN/ part of a case: Morphology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Part of a SN: Staining characters of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
SN: Tuberculin test
@ WBO/ part of a case: LD of pulmonary TB

Mycobacterium II: Non Tuberculous Mycobacteria

WBO Non-tuberculous mycobacteria

Mycobacterium III: M. leprae

SN: Lepra reaction and Lepromin Test

Spirochetes
Part of a case:
25 year old promiscuous male truck driver
Ulcer on the penis x10 days
On local examination: The ulcer was painless, indurated, circumcised, superficial. Regional lymph
nodes were swollen, non tender, discrete, non matted.
What is the most probable bacterial infection the patient is suffering from? Name the causative
agent.
@ WBO/ part of a case: LD of Syphilis
SN: Relapsing fever
SN: LD of Leptospirosis

Mycoplasma
@ SN: Mycoplasma

Actinomycetes
SN: Nocardia

Miscellaneous Bacteria
No questions asked

Rickettsiaceae
Part of a SN: Enumerate human diseases caused by Rickettsia
@ SN: Weil-Felix reaction/ test
@ SN: Epidemic typhus
SN: LD of Rickettsial diseases
Chlamydiae
SN: TRIC agent
SN: Genital infections caused by Chlamydiae

VIROLOGY
General Properties of Viruses
WBO General properties of viruses
WBO Structure and shape of virus
WBO Replication of viruses
SN: Cultivation of viruses
WBO Embryonated egg for virus inoculation
SN: Cultivation of viruses using tissue culture
WBO Detection of virus growth in cell cultures
@@ SN: Mutation (also refer to Bacterial Genetics)

Virus-Host Interactions: Viral Infections

@ SN/ WBO: Inclusion bodies

Bacteriophages
@ WBO Bacteriophage

Poxviruses
No questions asked

Herpes Viruses
@@ Part of a SN/ Part of a LN: Classify Herpes group of viruses.
SN: Herpes Simplex Type 1
Part of a LN: Describe differences between Herpes Type 1 and Type 2. Enumerate lesions caused
by Herpes.
Part of a LN: Discuss pathogenesis of Herpes Simplex virus.
@ Part of a LN: Discuss LD of Herpes Simplex virus.
SN: Cytomegaloviruses
@ SN: Epstein-Barr virus

Adenoviruses
WBO Adenoviruses

Picornaviruses
WBO active immunization against Polio
@ SN: Coxasackievirus

Orthomyxoviruses
Part of a LN: Classify myxoviruses (refer to Paramyxoviruses too)
@ LN: Describe in detail morphology, pathogenicity and LD of Influenza virus.
@@ SN/ WBO: Antigenic variations in Influenza virus

Paramyxoviruses
Part of a LN: Classify myxoviruses (refer to Orthomyxoviruses too)

Arthropod and Rodent Borne Viral Infections

SN: Diagnosis of Arboviral infections
@ WBO/SN: Japanese encephalitis
Case:
29 year old female
High grade fever, maculopapular rash on skin
Platelet count- 50,000 cubic mm
Mosquito bites were a common thing in her locality.
What is the most probable diagnosis? Describe the clinical findings. Explain the LD of this
condition.
WBO Kyasanur forest disease

Rhabdoviruses
Part of a case:
7 year old boy
Bitten by an unprovoked stray dog, boy had multiple lacerated wounds on the face and hands.
Which is the most likely virus to be transmitted? Describe the pathogenesis of the possible viral
infection.
@ WBO/ part of a case: LD of Human rabies

Hepatitis Viruses
LN: Enumerate the viruses causing Hepatitis and elaborate on Hepatitis A virus.
@ SN: Serological markers of Hepatitis B OR WBO: Importance of serological markers of Hepatitis
B
@ Part of a case:
40 year old technician
Jaundice
O/E: Liver was palpable, tender, serum transaminases were significantly raised.
OR
13 year old haemophiliac
Jaundice, vomiting
O/E: Liver was palpable, tender, serum transaminases were raised.
Enumerate the list of viruses causing this condition. Add a note on important Serological markers
of Hepatitis/ LD of the condition.
Part of a case: Describe structure and pathogenicity of Hepatitis B virus.
Part of a case: Describe the prophylaxis against blood borne viruses causing infection of the liver.
SN: Hepatitis viruses transmitted by feco-oral route
SN: Delta hepatitis

Miscellaneous Viruses
@ SN: Rubella

Oncogenic Viruses
No questions asked

Human Immunodeficiency Virus: AIDS

WBO Morphology and structure of Human Immunodeficiency virus
WBO CD4 counts in HIV infection
Case:
35 year old promiscuous truck driver
H/O: Fatigue, unexplained fever, persistent diarrhea, marked weight loss x1 month
O/E: evidence of oral candidiasis
What is the most probable virus responsible for his clinical condition?
SN: AIDS related parasitic infections (refer to Phylum Apicomplexa and Phylum
Nemathelminthes: Class Nematoda too)
@ WBO/ Part of a case: Outline in detail tests for laboratory confirmation of the HIV infection.

MEDICAL MYCOLOGY
General Aspects
@ SN: Classification of fungi with examples
@ SN: LD of fungal infections
@ SN: Staining techniques of fungi/ Stains used for fungi
SN: Use of cultural techniques in diagnosis of fungal infections
SN: Media and methods used for cultivation of fungi
SN: Slide culture technique for fungi

Superficial and Subcutaneous Mycoses

@@ SN: Dermatophytes OR Dermatophytosis
@ SN: Mycetoma
@@ SN: Eumycetoma OR Eumycotic mycetoma OR Madura foot
SN: Rhinosporidiosis

Systemic and Opportunistic Mycoses

SN: Dermatomycosis
@ SN: Histoplasmosis
@ SN: Opportunistic fungal infections
@@@ SN: Aspergillosis
@@@ SN: Mucormucosis
SN: Candida albicans
@ SN: Candidiasis
SN: Lesions caused by Candida albicans
SN: LD of Candida infections
SN: Cryptococcois
SN: Diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis (refer to Meningitis too)

APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
Healthcare Associated Infections
@@ SN: Nosocomial infections
SN: Universal safety precautions to be undertaken in a hospital setting
SN: Universal safety precautions
No questions asked from:
Normal Microbial Flora of the Human Body
Bacteriology of Water, Air, Milk and Food
Laboratory Control of Antimicrobial Therapy
Immunoprophylaxis
Biomedical Waste Management
Emerging and Re-emerging Infections
Recent Advances in Diagnostic Microbiology

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
Meningitis
Case:
9 year old boy
H/O: high grade fever, projectile vomiting
O/E: Kernig’s sign was positive
Enumerate common bacterial agents giving this type of presentation. Describe the morphology
and cultural characteristics of one of the commonest agent responsible for this condition. Add a
note on LD of the same. (refer to Pneumococcus too)
Enumerate bacteria causing memingitis. Add a note on LD of bacterial meningitis. (part of a case)
SN: Diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis (refer to Systemic and Opportunistic Mycoses too)

Urinary Tract Infections

SN: Urinary Tract Infections
@ Case:
28 year old lady
Burning micturition associated with high grade fever x 2 days
Urine examination: presence of numerous pus cells and few RBCs
OR
50 year old female
Fever, burning micturation, increased frequency of urination x 3 days
Urine microscopy: Increased numerous organisms, pus cells, RBCs
What is she suffering from? Enumerate common organism responsible for this condition.
Describe in detail LD of this condition. (refer to Coliforms- Proteus too)
SN: LD of UTIs

Sexually Transmitted Infections

SN: LD of sexually transmitted infections

Diarrhea and Food Poisoning

WBO Bacterial food poisoning

No questions asked from:

Bloodstream infections
Respiratory Tract Infections
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Pyrexia of Unknown Origin
Zoonoses
Principles of Lab Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases

PARASITOLOGY
General Questions: All of these are parts of LNs
@ Enumerate parasites that can enter the body through intact skin
Enumerate parasites found in the small intestine
Enumerate parasites found in the large intestine
Enumerate common parasites causing diarrhea/ dysentery
Enumerate parasites affecting the CNS
Enumerate parasites found in the blood
Enumerate parasites found in the liver
Enumerate parasites causing anemia

PROTOZOOLOGY
Phylum Sarcomastigophora
@ Describe the morphology and life cycle of Entamoeba histolytica (part of a LN)
LD of acute amoebic dysentery (part of a LN)
SN: LD of intestinal amoebiasis
LD of extra intestinal amoebiasis (part of a LN)
@ SN/WBO: Giardia lamblia OR Giardia intestinalis
WBO life cycle and pathogenesis of Giardia lamblia
SN: Trichomonas vaginalis
WBO morphology and diagnosis of Leishmania donovani
@ SN: LD of Kala azar
SN: Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis

Phylum Apicomplexa
Describe the morphology and life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum (part of a LN)
@ SN/ WBO: Pernicious anemia
WBO Pathogenicity of Plasmodium falciparum
WBO complications of cerebral malaria
WBO LD of malaria
WBO LD of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax
SN: AIDS related parasitic infections (refer to HIV: AIDS and Phylum Nemathelminthes: Class
Nematoda too)
@ SN: LD of Toxoplasmosis

HELMINTHOLOGY
Phylum Platyhelminthes: Class Cestoidea
WBO morphology and life cycle of Taenia saginata
SN: Differences between Taenia solium and Taenia saginata
WBO Cysticercus cellulosae
SN: Cysticercosis
@@ WBO Hydatid cyst/ Hydatid disease
@@ WBO life cycle of Echinococcus granulosus
@ Morphology of Echinococcus granulosus (part of a WBO/ part of a LN)
Describe the LD of Echinococcus granulosus (part of a LN)
SN: Hymenolepis nana

Phylum Platyhelminthes: Class Trematoda

SN: Schistosoma haematobium
SN: Morphology and life cycle of Schistosoma haematobium

Phylum Nemathelminthes: Class Nematoda

@@ Life cycle of Trichuris trichura (part of a WBO)
@ Morphology of Trichuris trichura (part of a WBO)
Pathogenicity of Trichuris trichura (part of a WBO)
SN: Morphology and life cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis
SN: AIDS related parasitic infections (refer to HIV: AIDS and Phylum Apicomplexa too)
@@ Describe the morphology and life cycle of Ankylostoma duodenale (part of a LN)
@ Describe the LD of infections caused by Ankylostoma duodenale (part of a LN)
SN: Enterobius vermicularis
Describe the morphology, life cycle and pathogenicity of Ascaris lumbricoides. (part of a LN)
SN: Loeffler’s syndrome
LN: Describe the morphology, life cycle, pathogenicity of Wuchereria bancrofti.
Discuss LD of lymphatic filariasis and life cycle of the causative agent (part of a LN)
SN: Occult filariasis
@ WBO LD of Filariasis
SN: Lava migrans