Microbiology For COMLEX Level 1 Practice Test

Which Gram-negative diplococcus ferments both glucose and maltose and is a common cause of meningitis?

Moraxella catarrhalis Haemophilus influenzae Neisseria gonorrhoeae Neisseria meningitidis

Correct Answer:

Neisseria meningitidis

Explanation:

Carbohydrate fermentation patterns help distinguish Neisseria species. A Gram-negative diplococcus that can ferment both glucose and maltose is characteristic of Neisseria meningitidis. This organism commonly causes bacterial meningitis, especially in children and young adults, and is identifiable by its ability to metabolize both sugars in standard sugar utilization tests. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, in contrast, ferments glucose but not maltose, so it would not show maltose fermentation. Haemophilus influenzae is not a diplococcus but a small coccobacillus that requires X and V factors. Moraxella catarrhalis is a Gram-negative diplococcus but typically does not ferment sugars like glucose and maltose.

Access more questions from this quiz

Continue to Microbiology for COMLEX Level 1 Practice Test for more practice questions and the full quiz experience.

Access More Questions