BCSE BCSE - Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination Veterinary Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which bacterial pathogen is the most common cause of leptospirosis in dogs in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Leptospira interrogans serovars Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae

Answer

Leptospira interrogans serovars Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae are the serovars most frequently associated with leptospirosis in US dogs.

Question 2

Parvovirus type 2 in dogs primarily damages which tissue to cause hemorrhagic enteritis?

Accepted Answer

Intestinal crypt epithelium

Answer

Canine parvovirus-2 targets rapidly dividing intestinal crypt epithelial cells, destroying the mucosal renewal mechanism and leading to hemorrhagic enteritis.

Question 3

Which organism causes 'Potomac horse fever' (equine monocytic ehrlichiosis) in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Neorickettsia risticii

Answer

Neorickettsia risticii (formerly Ehrlichia risticii) is the causative agent of Potomac horse fever, transmitted via ingestion of infected aquatic insects.

Question 4

The Gram stain appearance of Clostridium perfringens from a culture is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Large Gram-positive rods with subterminal spores

Answer

Clostridium perfringens appears as large, boxcar-shaped Gram-positive rods, typically with subterminal (rarely terminal) endospores.

Question 5

Which test is considered the 'gold standard' for diagnosis of Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) in cattle?

Accepted Answer

Fecal culture for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Answer

Fecal culture for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis remains the gold standard, though it requires 8–16 weeks of incubation.

BCSE - Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination Practice Test

BCSE - Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination Practice Test

BCSE BCSE - Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination Veterinary Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Questions and Answers