11. Vancomycin Antibiotic, that was recently highlighted in news, is used to treat what kind of infection?
[A] Bacterial
[B] Fungal
[C] Viral
[D] Protozoan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bacterial]
Notes:
A University of Birmingham study found that vancomycin, an antibiotic for diarrhea, may treat a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) linked to autoimmune liver disease. Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic used for severe bacterial infections like MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and C. difficile-associated diarrhea. It treats infections in the bloodstream, skin, heart valves, bones, and joints. It does not work against viral infections like colds or flu. Vancomycin kills bacteria by preventing proper cell wall formation, making them weak and leading to their death.
12. With reference to the topic of antibiotics and bacterial resistance, consider the following statements:
- Penicillin was the first antibiotic discovered and works by targeting bacterial cell wall synthesis.
- Vancomycin is effective against Gram-negative bacteria due to its ability to penetrate their outer membrane.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium that has developed resistance to methicillin, leading to MRSA.
- Clostridium difficile infections are often linked to antibiotic use, disrupting gut flora.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only three]
Notes:- Penicillin was the first antibiotic discovered and works by targeting bacterial cell wall synthesis: This is correct. Penicillin inhibits the enzymes involved in the crosslinking of peptidoglycan.
- Vancomycin is effective against Gram-negative bacteria due to its ability to penetrate their outer membrane: This is incorrect. Vancomycin primarily targets Gram-positive bacteria as it cannot penetrate the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium that has developed resistance to methicillin, leading to MRSA: This is correct. MRSA is a public health concern due to its resistance to multiple antibiotics.
- Clostridium difficile infections are often linked to antibiotic use, disrupting gut flora: This is correct. Antibiotic use can lead to an overgrowth of C. difficile in the gut.
13. With respect to brucellosis, consider the following statements:
- It is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella species, primarily affecting cattle, swine, sheep, and dogs.
- It is also known as Malta fever or Mediterranean fever.
- It is usually treated with antibiotics, including rifampin and doxycycline.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- It is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella species, primarily affecting cattle, swine, sheep, and dogs. Correct: Brucellosis is a Zoonotic disease caused by various Brucella species, which mainly infect cattle, swine, goats, sheep and dogs.
- It is also known as Malta fever or Mediterranean fever. Correct: It is also known as Malta fever or Mediterranean fever. Brucellosis is endemic in India causing huge economic losses to dairy industry due to Infertility, Abortion, Birth of weak off springs, Reduced productivity
- It is usually treated with antibiotics, including rifampin and doxycycline. Correct: It is usually treated with antibiotics, including rifampin and doxycycline. Avoiding unpasteurised dairy products and taking safety precautions such as wearing rubber gloves, gowns or aprons, when handling animals or working in a laboratory can help prevent or reduce the risk of getting brucellosis.
14. With reference to CRISPR technology and its applications in medical diagnostics, consider the following statements:
- CRISPR can be used to detect specific mutations in pathogens like H. pylori.
- CRISPR-based diagnostics can provide rapid results without the need for sequencing.
- CRISPR technology has been successfully applied in detecting antibiotic resistance mutations.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- CRISPR can be used to detect specific mutations in pathogens like H. pylori: CRISPR technology allows for precise targeting of genetic sequences, enabling the detection of specific mutations associated with pathogenicity.
- CRISPR-based diagnostics can provide rapid results without the need for sequencing: Lateral flow assays using CRISPR can yield quick visual results, making it suitable for point-of-care testing.
- CRISPR technology has been successfully applied in detecting antibiotic resistance mutations: Studies have shown CRISPR can identify mutations that confer resistance, aiding in tailored treatment approaches.
15. What is the name of India’s first indigenously developed antibiotic targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
[A] Azithromycin
[B] Ciprofloxacin
[C] Nafithromycin
[D] Amoxicillin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nafithromycin]
Notes:
Nafithromycin, developed by Wockhardt with support from BIRAC, is India’s first indigenously produced antibiotic targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) and is ten times more effective than azithromycin. This significant breakthrough follows 14 years of research and aims to address the global health crisis of AMR, which is responsible for millions of deaths annually. The drug awaits final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for public use.
16. Which organization recently released its first ever global guidance on antibiotic pollution?
[A] United Nations Environment Programme
[B] World Health Organization
[C] Indian Association for Medical Informatics
[D] European Union
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Health Organization]
Notes:
WHO released its first-ever guidance to address antibiotic pollution from manufacturing processes, a major factor in the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) crisis. Wastewater from antibiotic manufacturing contains residues that pollute water bodies and land, contributing to AMR. Currently, antibiotic pollution from manufacturing is mostly unregulated, and quality standards do not address environmental emissions. AMR occurs when pathogens no longer respond to medicines, a natural process accelerated by overuse of antimicrobials. The rise of “superbugs” worsens healthcare, particularly for patients with multiple diseases.
17. What is the name of the new classification of germs, like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, that are not easily killed by antibiotics?
[A] Micro-germs
[B] Super-bugs
[C] Ultra-bugs
[D] Future-bugs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Super-bugs]
Notes:
Superbugs are types of germs, like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that are not easily killed by antibiotics.
According to a recent report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), superbugs could be a major cause of death in the future. Overuse of antibiotics in animal farming and pollution from pharmaceutical companies can cause these germs to become resistant to antibiotics.
18. Who discovered the first antibiotic?
[A] W Fleming
[B] C Waksman
[C] Louis Pasteur
[D] A Fleming
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [A Fleming]
Notes:
Sir Alexander Fleming discovered the world’s first antibiotic— benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G)—from the mould Penicillium notatum in 1928. For this discovery, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945 with Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain.
19. Which of the following antibiotics is/are prohibited for use on crops?- Streptomycin
- Tetracycline
- Aureofungin
- Kasugamycin
- Validamycin
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1, 2, 3 & 5
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Agriculture prohibits the import, manufacture, or use of Streptomycin and Tetracycline in agriculture starting February 1, 2022. Streptomycin is used for tuberculosis treatment, while Tetracycline treats bacterial infections. Aureofungin, Kasugamycin, and Validamycin remain approved for use as pesticides against specific plant diseases.
20. With reference to the WHO List of Essential Medicines, which of the following drugs and their usage is / are correctly matched?
- Ibuprofen – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- Ranitidine – reduces production of acid in stomach
- Carbamazepine – antibiotic
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 & 2 ]
Notes:
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and an analgesic, listed on the WHO List of Essential Medicines. Ranitidine is an antacid that reduces stomach acid production, also included in the WHO List. Carbamazepine, another essential medicine, is an anti-convulsant used for epilepsy and schizophrenia.
