Infectious diseases
Sepsis, meningitis, common bacterial infections, HIV and tropical or travel-related infections. Australian antibiotic choices follow eTG (Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic) and differ from Indian practice.
High-yield points
Sepsis: blood cultures then IV antibiotics within 1 hour; fluids and early escalation for hypotension or high lactate.
Bacterial meningitis: IV ceftriaxone plus dexamethasone without delaying for LP or CT; give benzylpenicillin (or ceftriaxone) before transfer if meningococcal disease is suspected.
Cellulitis: eTG first line is flucloxacillin (IV) or cefalexin (oral); mark the edge.
Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei): tropical northern Australia in the wet season; risk factors are diabetes, alcohol excess and CKD; can present as pneumonia, abscesses or sepsis.
Arboviruses: Ross River virus (polyarthritis, fever, rash), Murray Valley encephalitis, and dengue in north Queensland; malaria in Australia is imported.
Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) in abattoir and farm workers; vaccine requires pre-vaccination screening.
HIV: test with consent, treat everyone diagnosed; PEP within 72 hours; PrEP is PBS-subsidised.
Skin sores (impetigo) and scabies in remote communities drive acute rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
India vs Australia
Where the answer the AMC marks correct differs from what’s usually taught in Indian MBBS.
| Aspect | India (MBBS)What you learn in MBBS | Australia (AMC)What the exam marks as correct |
|---|---|---|
| Empirical antibiotics | Broad-spectrum agents (cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, carbapenems) are often first line, reflecting resistance and access. | Narrowest effective agent per eTG. Fluoroquinolones and carbapenems are restricted. Stewardship is examined. |
| Fever with tropical causes | Malaria, dengue, typhoid, scrub typhus and leptospirosis are everyday local diagnoses. | Mostly acquired overseas. Always take a travel history, and exclude malaria urgently in a febrile returned traveller. |
| Locally acquired infections | Different endemic pattern. | Melioidosis (tropical north), Q fever (farm and abattoir workers), Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses, and Japanese encephalitis in some regions. |
| HIV prevention | Focus on testing and ART through NACO centres. | PrEP is PBS-subsidised; treatment as prevention (U=U) is standard messaging. |
Empirical antibiotics
India (MBBS)
Broad-spectrum agents (cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, carbapenems) are often first line, reflecting resistance and access.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Narrowest effective agent per eTG. Fluoroquinolones and carbapenems are restricted. Stewardship is examined.
Fever with tropical causes
India (MBBS)
Malaria, dengue, typhoid, scrub typhus and leptospirosis are everyday local diagnoses.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Mostly acquired overseas. Always take a travel history, and exclude malaria urgently in a febrile returned traveller.
Locally acquired infections
India (MBBS)
Different endemic pattern.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Melioidosis (tropical north), Q fever (farm and abattoir workers), Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses, and Japanese encephalitis in some regions.
HIV prevention
India (MBBS)
Focus on testing and ART through NACO centres.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
PrEP is PBS-subsidised; treatment as prevention (U=U) is standard messaging.
The Australian context
Antibiotic stewardship is strong in Australia: broad-spectrum agents like fluoroquinolones and carbapenems are restricted and not used as routine first line, unlike common Indian practice. Always check eTG. TB, typhoid and malaria are uncommon and mostly acquired overseas, whereas melioidosis, Q fever and arboviruses are locally important.