Virology Practice Questions

Q: In lymphoid tissue biopsy from a patient with suspected measles, multinucleated giant cells with 'clockwise' nuclear arrangement are observed. What are these cells called?

Warthin-Finkeldey cells. ***Warthin-Finkeldey cells*** - These are **multinucleated giant cells** with many nuclei arranged in a **\"clockwise\" or syncytial pattern**, a characteristic histopathological finding in **lymphoid tissues (lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen) during prodromal measles**. - They represent a key diagnostic marker for measles infection, formed by the fusion of infected lymphoid cells. - They are typically found **before the appearance of the measles rash**. *Cowdry type A* - **Cowdry type A inclusion bodies** are intranuclear inclusions characteristic of **herpes simplex virus** and **varicella-zoster virus** infections. - They are eosinophilic inclusions surrounded by a clear halo, seen in herpesvirus-infected cells, not measles. *Negri bodies* - **Negri bodies** are eosinophilic, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies found in neurons (especially hippocampal pyramidal cells), characteristic of **rabies infection**. - They are pathognomonic for rabies virus and are not observed in measles. *Henderson-Paterson bodies* - **Henderson-Paterson bodies** are large, eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions (molluscum bodies) found in epidermal cells infected with **molluscum contagiosum virus**. - They are pathognomonic for molluscum contagiosum and have no association with measles.

Q: SARS is caused by novel variant of?

Coronavirus. ***Coronavirus*** - **Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)** is caused by a novel strain of **coronavirus**, specifically SARS-CoV. - Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses known to cause respiratory illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. *Togavirus* - Togaviruses are a family of **RNA viruses** that include **Rubella virus** and **Alphaviruses** (e.g., Eastern equine encephalitis virus). - They are typically transmitted by **arthropod vectors** and do not cause SARS. *Lyssavirus* - Lyssaviruses belong to the family Rhabdoviridae and are the causative agents of **rabies**, a severe neurological disease. - They are transmitted through the bite of an infected animal and are not associated with SARS. *Poxvirus* - Poxviruses are a family of **DNA viruses** that include **Variola virus** (smallpox) and **Monkeypox virus**. - They are known for causing characteristic skin lesions and are not responsible for SARS.

Q: EBV is most strongly associated with which of the following?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma. ***Nasopharyngeal carcinoma*** - **Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)** is strongly and consistently associated with the development of **nasopharyngeal carcinoma**, particularly the undifferentiated (endemic) type. - EBV DNA is found in virtually **100% of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas**, highlighting its critical role in the pathogenesis of this cancer. - This represents one of the strongest virus-cancer associations in human medicine. *Gastric cancer* - While EBV is linked to a specific subtype of **EBV-associated gastric adenocarcinoma**, it accounts for only about **10% of gastric cancers**. - This makes it a less strong and less prevalent association compared to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. *Esophageal cancer* - **Esophageal cancer** (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) has various risk factors such as GERD, smoking, and alcohol consumption. - **EBV is not a significant etiologic factor** for esophageal cancer. - There is no strong, consistent evidence linking EBV as a primary cause of esophageal malignancy. *Hepatocellular carcinoma* - **Hepatocellular carcinoma** is primarily associated with **hepatitis B virus (HBV)** and **hepatitis C virus (HCV)**, not EBV. - Other risk factors include chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, aflatoxin exposure, and alcohol abuse. - EBV does not play a significant role in hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis.

Q: Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a:

Pox virus. ***Pox virus*** - **Molluscum contagiosum** is a common **cutaneous viral infection** caused by the **Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MCV)**. - MCV belongs to the **Poxviridae family**, which are known for causing characteristic skin lesions. *Flavi virus* - **Flaviviruses** are a genus of RNA viruses, which cause diseases like **Dengue fever**, **Yellow fever**, and **Zika virus infection**. - They typically cause **systemic illnesses** with fever and rash, rather than localized skin lesions like molluscum contagiosum. *Adenovirus* - **Adenoviruses** are DNA viruses primarily associated with **respiratory infections** (e.g., common cold, bronchitis) and **conjunctivitis**. - They are not known to cause the characteristic **umbilicated papules** seen in molluscum contagiosum. *Rubivirus* - **Rubivirus** is a genus that includes the **Rubella virus**, which causes **German measles** (Rubella). - Rubella is characterized by a **maculopapular rash** and **lymphadenopathy**, which is distinct from the **umbilicated papules** seen in molluscum contagiosum.

Q: Which of the following viruses is from the Herpes virus family?

EBV. ***EBV*** - **Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)** is a member of the **Herpesviridae** family, specifically **Human Herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4)**. - It is a **DNA virus** (double-stranded DNA), which is characteristic of all herpesviruses. - It is known to cause **infectious mononucleosis** and is associated with various malignancies. *Rubella* - **Rubella virus** belongs to the family **Togaviridae** and is the causative agent of **German measles**. - It is an **RNA virus** and is not classified within the Herpesviridae family. *Rabies* - **Rabies virus** is a member of the **Rhabdoviridae** family, specifically the genus **Lyssavirus**. - It is a neurotropic **RNA virus** causing a rapidly progressive, fatal encephalitis. *Measles* - **Measles virus**, also known as **Rubeola**, belongs to the family **Paramyxoviridae**. - It is an **RNA virus** responsible for a highly contagious airborne disease.

Q: Infantile myocarditis and pericarditis is due to

Coxsackie B. **Coxsackie B** - **Coxsackie B virus** is a well-established cause of **viral myocarditis and pericarditis**, particularly in infants and young children. - The virus can directly infect myocardial cells, leading to inflammation and damage. - Coxsackie B is the **most common viral cause** of infantile myocarditis. *Pox virus* - **Poxviruses** primarily cause **skin lesions** (e.g., smallpox, molluscum contagiosum) and are not a common cause of myocarditis or pericarditis. - While systemic infections can occur, cardiac involvement is **rare and not a typical presentation**. *Mumps* - **Mumps virus** is known for causing **parotitis** (inflammation of the salivary glands), and can also cause complications such as orchitis, meningitis, and pancreatitis. - While **mumps myocarditis** can occur, it is a **less common** presentation compared to Coxsackie B virus. *Coxsackie A* - **Coxsackie A viruses** are more commonly associated with conditions like **herpangina** (oral lesions) and **hand-foot-and-mouth disease**. - While they can occasionally cause myocarditis, **Coxsackie B viruses** are far more frequently implicated in cases of viral myocarditis and pericarditis.

Q: Genital warts are caused by:

Human Papilloma Virus. ***Human Papilloma Virus*** - **Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)** is the primary cause of genital warts, particularly low-risk types like **HPV-6** and **HPV-11**. - HPV infection is common and is transmitted primarily through **sexual contact**. *Chlamydia trachomatis* - **Chlamydia trachomatis** is a bacterium that causes a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), leading to **urethritis**, **cervicitis**, and pelvic inflammatory disease, but not genital warts. - It can cause symptoms like **dysuria** and **vaginal discharge**, or be asymptomatic, but does not result in wart-like lesions. *Epstein Barr virus* - **Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)** is a herpesvirus primarily known for causing **infectious mononucleosis** (glandular fever). - It is associated with certain cancers like nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymphomas but not with sexually transmitted genital warts. *HSV* - **Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)** causes **genital herpes**, characterized by painful **blisters** and **sores** that typically recur. - While HSV is a sexually transmitted infection, the lesions it causes are vesicular and ulcerative, distinctly different from the fleshy, wart-like lesions of HPV.

Q: Shingles is caused by infection with:

Varicella zoster virus. ***Varicella zoster virus*** - **Varicella zoster virus (VZV)** is the causative agent of both **chickenpox** (varicella) and **shingles** (herpes zoster). - Shingles occurs due to the **reactivation** of latent VZV from sensory ganglia, years after a primary chickenpox infection. *Epstein-Barr virus* - **Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)** is responsible for **infectious mononucleosis** and is associated with several malignancies. - It does not cause shingles or any other **herpes zoster**-like syndrome. *Human papilloma virus* - **Human papilloma virus (HPV)** is known for causing **warts** and is a primary cause of **cervical cancer**. - HPV is not related to the pathogenesis of shingles. *Herpes simplex virus* - **Herpes simplex virus (HSV)** causes **oral herpes** (cold sores) and **genital herpes**. - While it belongs to the same family (Herpesviridae) as VZV, it causes different clinical manifestations and is distinct from the virus causing shingles.

Q: Which is the most common mode of transmission of HSV-1?

Saliva. ***Saliva*** - HSV-1 is primarily transmitted through **oral secretions**, such as saliva, due to close personal contact like **kissing** or sharing utensils. - The virus is present in the saliva of infected individuals, even in the absence of active lesions, facilitating its widespread transmission. *Placental transmission* - While possible, **vertical transmission** of HSV (primarily HSV-2) from mother to fetus via the placenta is rare and typically leads to **neonatal herpes**, not the most common mode of HSV-1 infection. - This mode is more characteristic of infections like **cytomegalovirus** or **syphilis**. *Sexual transmission* - While HSV-1 can cause **genital herpes** and be transmitted sexually, it is not its most common mode of acquisition, especially in childhood. - **HSV-2** is the primary cause of genital herpes and is predominantly transmitted through sexual contact. *Blood* - HSV is not typically transmitted through **blood transfusions** or contact with blood products. - While theoretical, **viremia** (virus in the blood) in HSV infections is transient and less significant for transmission compared to direct contact with active lesions or secretions.

Question 1

In lymphoid tissue biopsy from a patient with suspected measles, multinucleated giant cells with 'clockwise' nuclear arrangement are observed. What are these cells called?

Accepted Answer

Warthin-Finkeldey cells

Answer

Cowdry type A

Answer

Negri bodies

Answer

Henderson-Paterson bodies

Question 2

SARS is caused by novel variant of?

Accepted Answer

Coronavirus

Answer

Toga virus

Answer

Lyssa virus

Answer

Pox virus

Question 3

EBV is most strongly associated with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Answer

Gastric cancer

Answer

Esophageal cancer

Answer

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Question 4

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a:

Accepted Answer

Pox virus

Answer

Flavi virus

Answer

Adenovirus

Answer

Rubivirus

Question 5

Which of the following viruses is from the Herpes virus family?

Accepted Answer

EBV

Answer

Rubella

Answer

Rabies

Answer

Measles

Question 6

Infantile myocarditis and pericarditis is due to

Accepted Answer

Coxsackie B

Answer

Pox virus

Answer

Mumps

Answer

Coxsackie A

Question 7

Prophage is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Integrated temperate bacteriophage genome into bacterial chromosome

Answer

First cycle of division of bacterial nucleic acid

Answer

Last cycle of division of bacterial nucleic acid

Answer

Insertion of viral nucleic acid into bacteria by bacteriophage

Question 8

Genital warts are caused by:

Accepted Answer

Human Papilloma Virus

Answer

Chlamydia trachomatis

Answer

Epstein Barr virus

Answer

HSV

Question 9

Shingles is caused by infection with:

Accepted Answer

Varicella zoster virus

Answer

Epstein-Barr virus

Answer

Human papilloma virus

Answer

Herpes simplex virus

Question 10

Which is the most common mode of transmission of HSV-1?

Accepted Answer

Saliva

Answer

Placental transmission

Answer

Sexual transmission

Answer

Blood

Virology — MCQs

Virology — MCQs

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