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USMLE · Question #499

A sexually active 23-year-old man with multiple sex partners has dysuria and a yellow urethral exudate. Gram stain of the exudate shows numerous neutrophils, many that contain intracellular gram-negat

The correct answer is A. Antigenic variation. See the full explanation below for the reasoning.

Question

A sexually active 23-year-old man with multiple sex partners has dysuria and a yellow urethral exudate. Gram stain of the exudate shows numerous neutrophils, many that contain intracellular gram-negative diplococci. He has had three similar episodes of urethritis over the past 2 years. Which of the following properties of the infecting organism best explains the reinfection?

Options

  • AAntigenic variation
  • BCatalase
  • CInhibition of B-lymphocyte function
  • DInhibition of T-lymphocyte function
  • EPolysaccharide capsule

How the community answered

(17 responses)
  • A
    71% (12)
  • B
    12% (2)
  • C
    12% (2)
  • E
    6% (1)

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