50 Must-Know Microbiology Topics for FRCPath Part 2 OSPE and SAQs

FRCPath Prep Medical Microbiology Consultants
Jul 20
2 min read

Preparing for the FRCPath Part 2 Medical Microbiology exam can feel overwhelming, especially with the breadth and depth of clinical scenarios, OSPEs (Objective Structured Practical Examinations), and SAQs (Short Answer Questions). To help streamline your preparation, we’ve compiled a list of 50 must-know microbiology topics that are high yield and frequently assessed in the exam.

Whether you're sitting in the UK or internationally, this list aligns with the RCPath curriculum and common FRCPath Part 2 case formats.

🔬 Core Clinical Microbiology Topics

Staphylococcus aureus (including PVL, MRSA, and MSSA)
Streptococcus pneumoniae – resistance and vaccine impact
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) – necrotising fasciitis, STSS
Listeria monocytogenes – pregnancy and CNS infections
Clostridioides difficile – testing algorithms and ribotyping
Pseudomonas aeruginosa – MDR mechanisms and management
Acinetobacter baumannii – outbreak management
Enterobacterales – ESBLs, AmpC, and carbapenemases
Mycobacterium tuberculosis – XDR-TB and UKHSA guidelines
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria – MAC, M. abscessus

🦠 Viral Infections to Master

CMV in transplant and immunocompromised patients
EBV – post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD)
HIV – OI prophylaxis and ART resistance patterns
Hepatitis B and C – transplant implications and therapy monitoring
Respiratory viruses – RSV, influenza, SARS-CoV-2 (ICU relevance)
Viral meningitis and encephalitis – HSV, VZV, enteroviruses
Norovirus and rotavirus outbreaks – infection control challenges
Monkeypox and imported viral diseases
Rabies – post-exposure prophylaxis and diagnosis
Adenovirus in paediatrics and transplant units

🍄 Mycology Essentials

Candida auris – outbreak control and diagnostics
Invasive aspergillosis – galactomannan, imaging, antifungals
Mucormycosis – at-risk groups and amphotericin use
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)
Cryptococcus – diagnosis in HIV and transplant patients

🧬 Parasitology + Tropical Infections

Malaria – rapid diagnostics, treatment, and return traveller fever
Strongyloides – hyperinfection risk and screening protocols
Leishmaniasis – visceral and cutaneous forms
Schistosomiasis – diagnosis and urogenital implications
Amoebic colitis and liver abscess – stool vs. serology

💉 Infection Prevention & Control

Hospital outbreaks – MDR GNB, norovirus, C. auris
CPE toolkit and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales
Needle-stick injuries – post-exposure prophylaxis
Surgical site infection surveillance
Environmental sampling protocols

🧪 Diagnostic Techniques and OSPE Focus

MALDI-TOF and rapid diagnostics
PCR panels – respiratory, GI, and meningitis
AST interpretation – EUCAST vs CLSI
Laboratory quality control and external quality assurance (EQA)
UKHSA SOPs and their application in daily microbiology

🏥 Complex Clinical Scenarios

Sepsis bundles and microbiological input
Endocarditis – Duke’s criteria and diagnostic role
Febrile neutropenia – empirical therapy choices
Joint prosthesis infections – sonication, PCR
Meningitis and encephalitis panels

🧭 Public Health and Travel-Related Infections

Notifiable diseases and outbreak management
Tuberculosis contact tracing
Measles, mumps and rubella – travel and vaccine failures
Dengue and chikungunya – outbreak alerts
Infection control in returning travellers and migrants

🎯 Next Steps in Your FRCPath Part 2 Prep?

🧠 Mastering these 50 core topics will not only help you in the OSPE and SAQs, but also boost your confidence in handling real-life consultant-level clinical scenarios.