Vaccine and Vaccination Practice Questions

Q: Capsular polysaccharide derived vaccine is available for all meningococci except?

Group B. ***Group B*** - The capsular polysaccharide of **Group B meningococci** is composed of **polysialic acid**, which is poorly immunogenic in humans because it structurally mimics human neural cell adhesion molecules. - Due to its **poor immunogenicity** and risk of autoantibody production, traditional polysaccharide vaccines are ineffective against Group B. *Group A* - Polysaccharide vaccines for **Group A meningococci** (e.g., in Menactra, Menveo) are effective in inducing a protective immune response. - Group A is a major cause of meningococcal disease, particularly in the **"meningitis belt"** of sub-Saharan Africa. *Group C* - **Capsular polysaccharide vaccines** are available and effective against Group C meningococcal disease, often included in quadrivalent formulations. - These vaccines elicit a robust **antibody response** against the Group C polysaccharide. *Group Y* - Vaccines containing the **capsular polysaccharide** of Group Y meningococci are effective and commonly included in quadrivalent vaccines. - Group Y is a significant cause of meningococcal disease, particularly in **North America and Europe**.

Q: What is the type of vaccine produced from the SA-14-14-2 strain of the Japanese encephalitis virus?

Live attenuated vaccine. ***Live attenuated vaccine*** - The **SA-14-14-2 strain** is specifically engineered to be a **weakened, non-pathogenic** form of the Japanese encephalitis virus. - This allows it to replicate in the host without causing disease, stimulating a **strong and long-lasting immune response**. *Inactivated vaccine* - An **inactivated vaccine** uses a whole virus that has been **killed** (inactivated) to prevent it from replicating. - While the SA-14-14-2 strain is used for a vaccine, it is not an inactivated one; it is designed to be **live but attenuated**. *Killed virus vaccine* - A **killed virus vaccine** is another term for an **inactivated vaccine**, where the virus's ability to replicate is destroyed, usually by chemical means. - The SA-14-14-2 vaccine functions by introducing a **live, weakened virus** that can still replicate, rather than a killed one. *Subunit vaccine* - A **subunit vaccine** contains only specific **antigenic components** of the virus, rather than the entire virus. - The SA-14-14-2 vaccine utilizes the **entire virus** in an attenuated form, making it distinct from a subunit vaccine.

Q: What component is included in the vaccine against N-meningitidis?

Capsular polysaccharide (polysaccharide vaccine). ***Capsular polysaccharide (polysaccharide vaccine)*** - *Neisseria meningitidis* vaccines commonly include **capsular polysaccharides** from different serogroups (A, C, Y, W-135) to elicit a protective immune response. - These polysaccharides act as antigens, stimulating the production of **antibodies** that can neutralize the bacteria. - **Conjugate vaccines** combine polysaccharides with carrier proteins to improve immunogenicity, especially in infants and young children. *Killed whole-cell vaccine* - **Killed whole-cell vaccines** are not used for *N. meningitidis* due to potential reactogenicity and the availability of more effective targeted antigens. - **Polysaccharide and conjugate vaccines** are the established formulations for meningococcal disease prevention. *Outer membrane protein (OMP)* - **Outer membrane proteins (OMPs)** are specifically used in **serogroup B vaccines** (e.g., Bexsero, Trumenba) due to the poor immunogenicity of the serogroup B polysaccharide capsule. - However, for serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135, **capsular polysaccharide** remains the primary vaccine component. *Live attenuated vaccine* - **Live attenuated vaccines** are not used for *N. meningitidis* as they pose risks of reversion to virulence and are unnecessary given the effectiveness of polysaccharide-based vaccines. - Meningococcal vaccines rely on **subunit approaches** (polysaccharides, conjugates, OMPs) rather than live organisms.

Q: Pneumococcal vaccine is prepared from ?

Capsular polysaccharide. ***Capsular polysaccharide*** - The **polysaccharide capsule** of *Streptococcus pneumoniae* is the primary virulence factor, protecting the bacteria from phagocytosis. - Vaccines, such as **PCV13** (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) and **PPSV23** (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine), are designed targeting these capsular polysaccharides to elicit a protective immune response. *Cell surface antigen* - While bacteria possess various **cell surface antigens**, not all are immunogenic or provide protective immunity as effectively as the capsular polysaccharides for *S. pneumoniae*. - For pneumococcus, the **capsule** is the most critical surface component for vaccine development due to its role in virulence and serotype specificity. *From exotoxin* - *S. pneumoniae* primarily causes disease through its **polysaccharide capsule** and other bacterial components, not through the production of an **exotoxin** that would be targeted by a vaccine. - Vaccines developed from exotoxins (e.g., diphtheria or tetanus toxoids) target specific toxins, which is not the mechanism for pneumococcal vaccines. *From M protein* - **M protein** is a major virulence factor for *Streptococcus pyogenes* (Group A Strep), not *Streptococcus pneumoniae*. - Vaccines targeting M protein are associated with **Group A Streptococcus** infections, for protection against diseases like rheumatic fever.

Q: Recipients of meningococcal polyvalent vaccine are not protected from which serogroup of Neisseria meningitidis with the vaccine available today?

Serogroup B. ***Serogroup B*** - The **meningococcal polyvalent vaccine** (e.g., MenACWY) primarily targets serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y. - **Serogroup B** is not adequately covered by these polysaccharide-based vaccines due to its capsular polysaccharide being poorly immunogenic and structurally similar to human host antigens, requiring different vaccine technologies (e.g., recombinant protein vaccines like Bexsero and Trumenba). *Serogroup A* - **Serogroup A** is one of the target serogroups included in the standard **meningococcal polyvalent vaccines** (MenACWY), offering protection against this specific strain. - Vaccines for serogroup A have been crucial in controlling epidemics, particularly in the African meningitis belt. *Serogroup C* - **Serogroup C** is another key component covered by the **meningococcal polyvalent vaccines** (MenACWY), providing protection against this common cause of meningococcal disease. - Conjugate vaccines against serogroup C have significantly reduced disease incidence in many countries. *Serogroup Y* - **Serogroup Y** is one of the serogroups included in the **meningococcal polyvalent vaccines** (MenACWY), conferring protection against infections caused by this strain. - Serogroup Y is increasingly recognized as a cause of meningococcal disease in certain regions, including the United States.

Q: Which strain is used in the Mumps vaccine?

Jeryl Lynn strain. ***Jeryl Lynn strain*** - The **Jeryl Lynn strain** is the most commonly used and safest viral strain for the mumps vaccine, having been isolated in 1963. - This strain is known for its **attenuation** (weakened form) without losing its immunogenicity, providing effective protection against mumps. *Edmonston Zagreb strain* - The **Edmonston-Zagreb strain** is primarily used in some measles vaccines, not mumps vaccines. - It is a highly effective measles vaccine strain, but its application is specific to measles immunization. *RA 27/3 strain* - The **RA 27/3 strain** is exclusively used in the rubella vaccine to protect against rubella (German measles). - It is a live-attenuated virus that elicits a strong immune response against rubella. *Oka strain* - The **Oka strain** is the main attenuated strain used in the varicella vaccine to prevent chickenpox. - It is derived from a wild-type varicella-zoster virus and is effective in preventing or mitigating chickenpox.

Q: Meningococcal vaccine is prepared from which of the following organisms?

Neisseria meningitidis. ***Neisseria meningitidis*** - The meningococcal vaccine is specifically designed to prevent infections caused by **_Neisseria meningitidis_**, which is the primary cause of meningococcal meningitis and sepsis. - The vaccine typically targets the **polysaccharide capsule** of specific serogroups of _N. meningitidis_, such as A, C, W, and Y, or includes components for serogroup B in newer vaccines. *Mycobacterium bovis* - _Mycobacterium bovis_ is the causative agent of **bovine tuberculosis** and can also cause tuberculosis in humans, mainly through the consumption of contaminated dairy products. - The **BCG vaccine** (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) is derived from an attenuated strain of _Mycobacterium bovis_ and is used to prevent tuberculosis, not meningococcal disease. *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* - _Mycobacterium tuberculosis_ is the bacterium responsible for causing **tuberculosis** in humans, a respiratory disease primarily affecting the lungs. - There is currently no widely available vaccine specifically derived from _M. tuberculosis_ for human use; prevention relies on identifying and treating infected individuals and using the BCG vaccine. *Clostridium perfringens* - _Clostridium perfringens_ is a bacterium known to cause **gas gangrene** (a severe form of soft tissue infection) and various types of food poisoning. - While it can produce toxins and cause significant disease, there is no vaccine available or commonly used for _Clostridium perfringens_ infections in humans.

Q: From which strain of virus is the rabies vaccine prepared?

Fixed Virus. ***Fixed Virus*** - The rabies vaccine is prepared from **fixed virus strains**, which are **attenuated** forms of the rabies virus that have lost their pathogenicity for humans through serial passages in animals or cell cultures. - This attenuation allows the virus to induce an immune response without causing disease, making it safe and effective for vaccination. - Examples include **Pitman-Moore strain**, **Flury strain (HEP/LEP)**, and **SAD strain**. *Street virus* - The **street virus** is the term used for the **wild-type rabies virus** as it occurs naturally in infected animals and causes clinical rabies disease. - Due to its high pathogenicity and ability to cause lethal infection, the street virus is **not used** for vaccine production. *Wild virus* - **Wild virus** is another term referring to the naturally occurring, **virulent rabies virus** found in infected animals. - Like the street virus, it is too pathogenic to be used directly in vaccine preparation. *Pasteur virus* - While **Louis Pasteur** pioneered rabies vaccination, "Pasteur virus" is not a standard terminology for vaccine strains. - The term **"fixed virus"** specifically denotes laboratory-adapted, attenuated strains regardless of their origin.

Q: Which of the following is a live vaccine?

Sabin polio. ***Sabin polio*** - The Sabin polio vaccine is an **oral polio vaccine (OPV)** that contains **live, attenuated (weakened) poliovirus**. - It induces a strong immune response, including mucosal immunity, which helps prevent transmission of the wild virus. *Salk polio* - The Salk polio vaccine is an **inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)**, meaning it contains **killed poliovirus**. - Unlike live vaccines, inactivated vaccines cannot replicate in the body and do not carry a risk of reversion to virulence. *KFD vaccine* - The KFD (Kyasanur Forest Disease) vaccine is an **inactivated viral vaccine**. - It is prepared from the brains of infected mice or chick embryos and is used to protect against the KFD virus. *Meningococci* - Meningococcal vaccines are typically **polysaccharide or conjugate vaccines**, composed of components of the bacterial capsule, not live organisms. - These vaccines target *Neisseria meningitidis* and do not contain live attenuated bacteria.

Q: Salk vaccine is a:

Inactivated vaccine. ***Inactivated vaccine*** - The **Salk vaccine** is an **inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)** that uses chemically inactivated (killed) wild-type poliovirus strains. - This inactivation process renders the virus unable to replicate or cause disease, while still retaining its **antigenicity** to elicit an immune response. - The Salk vaccine is administered by **intramuscular injection** and provides systemic immunity. *Live vaccine* - **Live vaccines** contain live, replicating organisms that are either attenuated (weakened) or fully virulent. - The **Sabin vaccine** (oral poliovirus vaccine - OPV) is an example of a live attenuated vaccine for polio, not the Salk vaccine. - The Salk vaccine contains completely inactivated virus and is therefore not a live vaccine. *Attenuated vaccine* - **Attenuated vaccines** contain live but weakened forms of the pathogen, which can replicate to a limited extent in the host without causing disease. - Examples include MMR, varicella, and the **Sabin vaccine** for polio. - The Salk vaccine uses **inactivated virus**, not attenuated virus, making this option incorrect. *Inactivated toxin* - An **inactivated toxin**, also known as a **toxoid vaccine**, is derived from bacterial toxins that have been rendered harmless but still stimulate an immune response. - Examples include **tetanus and diphtheria vaccines**, which target bacterial toxins rather than whole viruses. - The Salk vaccine targets the **poliovirus itself**, not a toxin produced by the virus.

Question 1

Capsular polysaccharide derived vaccine is available for all meningococci except?

Accepted Answer

Group B

Answer

Group C

Answer

Group Y

Answer

Group A

Question 2

What is the type of vaccine produced from the SA-14-14-2 strain of the Japanese encephalitis virus?

Accepted Answer

Live attenuated vaccine

Answer

Subunit vaccine

Answer

Inactivated vaccine

Answer

Killed virus vaccine

Question 3

What component is included in the vaccine against N-meningitidis?

Accepted Answer

Capsular polysaccharide (polysaccharide vaccine)

Answer

Killed whole-cell vaccine

Answer

Outer membrane protein (OMP)

Answer

Live attenuated vaccine

Question 4

Pneumococcal vaccine is prepared from ?

Accepted Answer

Capsular polysaccharide

Answer

Cell surface antigen

Answer

Exotoxin

Answer

M protein

Question 5

Recipients of meningococcal polyvalent vaccine are not protected from which serogroup of Neisseria meningitidis with the vaccine available today?

Accepted Answer

Serogroup B

Answer

Serogroup C

Answer

Serogroup Y

Answer

Serogroup A

Question 6

Which strain is used in the Mumps vaccine?

Accepted Answer

Jeryl Lynn strain

Answer

Edmonston Zagreb strain

Answer

RA 27/3 strain

Answer

Oka strain

Question 7

Meningococcal vaccine is prepared from which of the following organisms?

Accepted Answer

Neisseria meningitidis

Answer

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Answer

Mycobacterium bovis

Answer

Clostridium perfringens

Question 8

From which strain of virus is the rabies vaccine prepared?

Accepted Answer

Fixed Virus

Answer

Street virus

Answer

Wild virus

Answer

Pasteur virus

Question 9

Which of the following is a live vaccine?

Accepted Answer

Sabin polio

Answer

Salk polio

Answer

Meningococci

Answer

KFD vaccine

Question 10

Salk vaccine is a:

Accepted Answer

Inactivated vaccine

Answer

Live vaccine

Answer

Attenuated vaccine

Answer

Inactivated toxin

Vaccine and Vaccination — MCQs

Vaccine and Vaccination — MCQs

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