American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is considered a common cause of cervicitis?

1. Mycoplasma genitalium

2. Neisseria gonorrhoeae

3. Human papillomavirus

4. Corynebacterium urealyticum

The correct answer is: Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is recognized as a common cause of cervicitis primarily due to its role as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It often leads to inflammation of the cervix, which can present with symptoms such as vaginal discharge, bleeding, and pelvic pain. This bacterium is part of the group of pathogens that are frequently responsible for cervicitis, particularly in sexually active individuals. Infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae can have significant clinical implications, including the potential for ascending infections and complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if left untreated. Clinicians commonly consider gonorrhea in patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of cervicitis, making it essential to include this organism in the differential diagnosis. Other options such as Mycoplasma genitalium and Human papillomavirus can also be associated with cervicitis but are typically less common in the context of acute inflammation compared to Neisseria gonorrhoeae as a primary infectious agent. Corynebacterium urealyticum is not a recognized common cause of cervicitis, further distinguishing Neisseria gonorrhoeae as the most prevalent cause in the context of the provided options.