Virology Practice Questions

Q: Foam cells are seen in infection with which virus?

EBV. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus)**. **Why EBV is correct:** Infectious Mononucleosis (caused by EBV) is characterized by the presence of **Downey cells** (atypical lymphocytes). These are activated T-cells (CD8+) responding to B-cells infected by EBV. Morphologically, these cells exhibit an abundant, pale, "foamy" or vacuolated cytoplasm that appears to "hug" or indent around neighboring red blood cells. In clinical pathology, these are frequently referred to as **foam cells** or "ballerina skirt" cells. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Measles:** Characterized by **Warthin-Finkeldey giant cells** (multinucleated giant cells with eosinophilic inclusion bodies), not foam cells. * **Molluscum contagiosum:** A Poxvirus that produces **Henderson-Patterson bodies** (large, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies) in epidermal cells. * **RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus):** Known for causing **syncytia formation** (fusion of infected cells into multinucleated masses) in the respiratory epithelium. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Downey Type II cells** are the most characteristic "foam cells" seen in EBV. * **Monospot Test:** Detects heterophile antibodies (IgM) that agglutinate horse/sheep RBCs; it is the rapid diagnostic test for EBV. * **Paul-Bunnell Test:** The specific gold-standard heterophile antibody test. * **Associated Malignancies:** EBV is strongly linked to Burkitt Lymphoma (t 8;14), Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, and Hodgkin Lymphoma (Mixed cellularity type).

Q: All viruses can be cultured in which of the following systems?

Living systems only. ### Explanation **Core Concept: Obligate Intracellular Parasitism** Viruses are unique biological entities characterized as **obligate intracellular parasites**. Unlike bacteria, they lack the cellular machinery (ribosomes, enzymes, and metabolic pathways) required for independent protein synthesis and energy production. Consequently, they can only replicate inside a **living host cell** by hijacking its metabolic apparatus. **Analysis of Options:** * **Option B (Correct):** Because viruses require a living host to replicate, they must be cultured in living systems. The three standard methods used in virology are: 1. **Cell Culture:** (e.g., Primary, Diploid, or Continuous cell lines like HeLa). 2. **Embryonated Hen’s Egg:** (e.g., Chorioallantoic membrane for Poxvirus, Allantoic cavity for Influenza). 3. **Animal Inoculation:** (e.g., Suckling mice for Coxsackievirus). * **Options A, C, and D (Incorrect):** These refer to **non-living (abiotic) systems**. Chemically defined media and agar plates provide nutrients but lack the living cellular machinery necessary for viral "uncoating" and replication. Only bacteria, fungi, and some parasites can grow on these synthetic media. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Exceptions:** While most bacteria grow on agar, **Chlamydia** and **Rickettsia** are also obligate intracellular parasites and, like viruses, cannot be grown on agar; they require living systems. * **Cytopathic Effect (CPE):** This is the structural change in host cells caused by viral invasion, used to identify viral growth in cell cultures (e.g., "owl’s eye" inclusion bodies in CMV). * **Prions:** These are even simpler than viruses (proteinaceous infectious particles) and cannot be "cultured" in the traditional sense at all.

Q: All of the following can be used to grow human viruses except?

Enriched media. **Explanation:** The fundamental principle of virology is that **viruses are obligate intracellular parasites**. They lack the metabolic machinery (ribosomes, enzymes) to replicate independently and require a living host cell to provide the energy and synthetic tools for multiplication. **Why "Enriched Media" is the correct answer:** Enriched media (like Blood Agar or Chocolate Agar) are non-living, artificial nutrient substrates used to grow bacteria and fungi. Because these media do not contain living cells, they cannot support the replication of viruses. **Analysis of other options:** * **Continuous cell lines (Option A):** These are "immortalized" cells (e.g., HeLa, HEP-2) derived from tumors that can be subcultured indefinitely. They provide the living host cells necessary for viral attachment, entry, and replication. * **Suckling mice (Option B):** Animal inoculation is a classic method for viral isolation. Suckling mice (less than 48 hours old) are particularly sensitive to many viruses, such as Coxsackievirus and Arboviruses, which may not grow well in other systems. * **Embryonated eggs (Option C):** This was the first method used for viral cultivation. Different viruses grow in specific sites: Influenza in the amniotic/allantoic cavity, and Poxviruses on the Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), where they produce visible "pocks." **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Primary Cell Lines:** Derived from normal fresh tissue (e.g., Monkey kidney cells); can only be subcultured once or twice. * **Diploid Cell Lines:** Can be subcultured about 50 times (e.g., WI-38, MRC-5); used for vaccine production. * **Cytopathic Effect (CPE):** The structural changes in host cells caused by viral invasion (e.g., syncytium formation in RSV, Negri bodies in Rabies). * **Detection:** Viral growth in culture is often identified via Hemadsorption, Immunofluorescence, or PCR.

Q: Mad Cow disease (Spongiform disease) occurs due to which of the following?

Prions (specifically, abnormal prion proteins, not viruses). **Explanation:** **Mad Cow Disease**, medically known as **Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)**, is caused by **Prions**. Prions are unique infectious agents because they lack nucleic acids (DNA or RNA). They are misfolded proteins ($PrP^{Sc}$) that induce normal cellular prion proteins ($PrP^C$) in the host’s brain to also misfold into the pathological isoform. This leads to neuronal loss and a characteristic "spongiform" (sponge-like) appearance of the brain tissue. **Analysis of Options:** * **Option A (Correct):** Prions are the established causative agents of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) like BSE in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans. * **Option B (Arena Virus):** These are RNA viruses (e.g., Lassa fever, LCMV) that typically cause hemorrhagic fevers or meningitis, not spongiform degeneration. * **Option C (Kuru Virus):** This is a **misnomer**. While Kuru is a spongiform disease, it is caused by **prions** (transmitted via ritualistic cannibalism), not a virus. * **Option D (Parvo Virus):** B19 virus is a DNA virus known for causing Erythema Infectiosum (Fifth disease), aplastic crisis, and hydrops fetalis. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Resistance:** Prions are highly resistant to standard sterilization methods (autoclaving, UV, formalin). Recommended decontamination involves **1N NaOH** or **Sodium Hypochlorite** for 1 hour. * **Human Variant:** Consumption of BSE-infected beef is linked to **variant CJD (vCJD)** in humans. * **Diagnosis:** Characterized by the absence of an inflammatory response and the presence of **14-3-3 protein** in the CSF. * **Amyloid Plaques:** Histology shows extracellular accumulation of prion protein aggregates.

Q: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with which of the following conditions, EXCEPT?

Verrucous lymphoma. ### **Explanation** The correct answer is **C. Verrucous lymphoma**. **1. Why Verrucous Lymphoma is the correct answer:** There is no clinical entity known as "Verrucous lymphoma." The term "Verrucous" typically refers to **Verrucous Carcinoma** (a low-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma), which is primarily associated with **Human Papillomavirus (HPV)** types 6 and 11, not EBV. Therefore, it is the "except" option in this list. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options (EBV-associated conditions):** * **Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (Option A):** EBV has a strong causal link with the undifferentiated type (Type III) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, particularly prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia. * **Burkitt’s Lymphoma (Option B):** EBV is associated with the **Endemic (African)** form of Burkitt’s lymphoma, characterized by the $t(8;14)$ translocation involving the *c-myc* oncogene. * **Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Option D):** EBV is found in approximately 40–50% of Hodgkin’s cases, most commonly the **Mixed Cellularity** subtype. **3. NEET-PG High-Yield Clinical Pearls:** * **Virus Family:** EBV is Human Herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), a gamma-herpesvirus. * **Cell Tropism:** It infects B-cells via the **CD21 receptor** (also known as CR2). * **Diagnosis:** Look for **Atypical Lymphocytes (Downey cells)** on peripheral smear and a positive **Monospot test** (Heterophile antibodies). * **Other EBV Associations:** * Infectious Mononucleosis (Glandular fever). * Oral Hairy Leukoplakia (seen in HIV/AIDS). * Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). * Gastric Carcinoma (subset of cases).

Q: Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is caused by which virus?

Enterovirus 70. **Explanation:** **Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis (AHC)** is a highly contagious ocular infection characterized by sudden onset of painful, red eyes, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and lid edema. **Why Enterovirus 70 is correct:** Enterovirus 70 (a member of the Picornaviridae family) and **Coxsackievirus A24 variant** are the two primary causative agents of AHC. These viruses are transmitted via the feco-oral route or direct contact with eye secretions. A unique clinical feature associated with Enterovirus 70 is its neurotropism, which can rarely lead to a polio-like lower motor neuron paralysis (Radiculomyelitis). **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **B. Adenovirus:** While Adenoviruses are the most common cause of viral conjunctivitis (specifically Serotypes 8, 19, and 37 causing **Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis**), they typically cause "pink eye" with follicular response rather than the frank subconjunctival hemorrhage seen in AHC. * **C. Poliovirus:** Although it is an Enterovirus, it primarily targets the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord leading to paralytic poliomyelitis; it does not cause primary ocular infections. * **D. Hepadnavirus:** This family includes Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), which is a DNA virus causing systemic hepatitis and is not associated with acute ocular surface infections. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Incubation Period:** Very short (24–48 hours), leading to explosive outbreaks. * **Key Association:** If a question mentions "Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis with Neurological complications," always think of **Enterovirus 70**. * **Adenovirus Serotypes:** 3 and 7 cause Pharyngoconjunctival fever; 8 and 19 cause Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC).

Q: Foam cells are seen in infection with which virus?

EBV. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus)**. **Why EBV is correct:** Infection with EBV, particularly in **Infectious Mononucleosis (IM)**, leads to the appearance of characteristic **atypical lymphocytes** (also known as **Downey cells**). These are activated CD8+ T-cells responding to B-cells infected by the virus. Under a microscope, these cells exhibit a "ballerina skirt" appearance with abundant, pale, and vacuolated cytoplasm, giving them a **foamy or "foam cell" appearance**. These vacuoles are a hallmark of the cellular immune response to EBV. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Measles:** Characterized by **Warthin-Finkeldey giant cells** (multinucleated giant cells with eosinophilic inclusion bodies) found in lymphoid tissue and respiratory secretions. * **Molluscum contagiosum:** Caused by a Poxvirus, it is identified by **Henderson-Paterson bodies** (large, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies) within keratinocytes. * **RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus):** As the name suggests, it leads to the formation of **syncytia** (multinucleated giant cells) due to the viral fusion (F) protein, but not foam cells. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Downey Cell Types:** Type I (Foamy/Vacuolated), Type II (Monocyte-like), and Type III (Immature/Blast-like). * **Paul-Bunnell Test:** A heterophile antibody test used for rapid diagnosis of EBV. * **Associated Malignancies:** EBV is linked to Burkitt Lymphoma (t 8;14), Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, and Hodgkin Lymphoma. * **Clinical Triad of IM:** Fever, Pharyngitis, and Lymphadenopathy (often posterior cervical).

Q: A 3-month-old child was admitted with pneumonia. The microscopy shows the following image. Choose the correct organism.

Influenza. ***Influenza*** - The image displays a virus with two key surface glycoproteins: **Hemagglutinin (HA)** and **Neuraminidase (NA)**. These proteins are the defining structural features of the Influenza virus and are crucial for its entry into and exit from host cells. - Influenza virus is a well-known cause of respiratory illnesses, including severe **pneumonia**, particularly in high-risk groups such as infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. *Rotavirus* - Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe **gastroenteritis** (diarrhea and vomiting) in infants and young children; it is not a primary cause of pneumonia. - It is a **non-enveloped** virus with a distinct wheel-like appearance (hence the name "rota"), which is structurally different from the enveloped virus shown in the diagram. *Hepatitis virus* - Hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, etc.) are hepatotropic, meaning they primarily infect and cause inflammation of the **liver (hepatitis)**, and are not associated with respiratory infections like pneumonia. - Their viral structures and surface antigens are different; for example, Hepatitis B virus has **HBsAg** on its surface, not HA and NA. *Respiratory syncytial virus* - While RSV is a very common cause of **pneumonia** and **bronchiolitis** in infants, its viral structure differs from the one depicted. - RSV belongs to the *Paramyxoviridae* family and has **Fusion (F)** and **Attachment (G)** proteins on its surface, not Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase.

Q: Receptor used for the entry of HIV virus into the host cell is?

CCR5. ***CCR5*** - HIV initially binds to the **CD4** receptor on the surface of T-helper cells, which triggers a conformational change in the viral envelope protein gp120. - This change exposes a binding site for a coreceptor, which is typically the chemokine receptor **CCR5** (or **CXCR4**), facilitating the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane and allowing viral entry. *CCR7* - **CCR7** is a chemokine receptor primarily involved in the homing of lymphocytes and dendritic cells to secondary lymphoid organs like lymph nodes. - It is not utilized by HIV as a coreceptor for entry into host cells. *CD6* - **CD6** is a cell surface receptor found on T cells that functions as a costimulatory molecule in T-cell activation and adhesion. - It plays no role in the binding or entry process of the HIV virus. *CD8* - **CD8** is a coreceptor molecule that defines cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which are essential for killing virally infected cells. - HIV primarily infects **CD4+** cells, not CD8+ cells, and CD8 does not serve as a viral entry receptor.

Question 1

Foam cells are seen in infection with which virus?

Accepted Answer

EBV

Answer

Measles

Answer

Molluscum contagiosum

Answer

RSV

Question 2

All viruses can be cultured in which of the following systems?

Accepted Answer

Living systems only

Answer

Chemically defined media as that used for bacteria

Answer

Agar culture

Answer

Non-living systems also

Question 3

All of the following can be used to grow human viruses except?

Accepted Answer

Enriched media

Answer

Continuous cell lines

Answer

Suckling mice

Answer

Embryonated eggs

Question 4

Which of the following is true regarding HIV?

Accepted Answer

It can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Answer

It is an RNA virus.

Answer

It is inhibited by 0.3% hydrogen peroxide.

Answer

It is thermostable.

Question 5

Mad Cow disease (Spongiform disease) occurs due to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Prions (specifically, abnormal prion proteins, not viruses)

Answer

Arena Virus

Answer

Kuru Virus

Answer

Parvo Virus

Question 6

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with which of the following conditions, EXCEPT?

Accepted Answer

Verrucous lymphoma

Answer

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Answer

Burkitt's lymphoma

Answer

Hodgkin's lymphoma

Question 7

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is caused by which virus?

Accepted Answer

Enterovirus 70

Answer

Adenovirus

Answer

Poliovirus

Answer

Hepadnavirus

Question 8

Foam cells are seen in infection with which virus?

Accepted Answer

EBV

Answer

Measles

Answer

Molluscum contagiosum

Answer

RSV

Question 9

A 3-month-old child was admitted with pneumonia. The microscopy shows the following image. Choose the correct organism.

Accepted Answer

Influenza

Answer

Rotavirus

Answer

Hepatitis virus

Answer

Respiratory syncytial virus

Question 10

Receptor used for the entry of HIV virus into the host cell is?

Accepted Answer

CCR5

Answer

CD8

Answer

CD6

Answer

CCR7

Virology — MCQs

Virology — MCQs

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