Virology Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following conditions is not caused by the Herpes simplex virus?

Carcinoma of the cervix. ***Carcinoma of the cervix*** - **Cervical cancer** is primarily caused by **Human Papillomavirus (HPV)**, not the Herpes simplex virus (HSV). - While HSV can cause genital lesions, it is **not oncogenic** for the cervix. *Gingivostomatitis* - **Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis** is a common manifestation of **primary Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)** infection, particularly in children. - It causes painful blisters and ulcers in the mouth and gums. *Mollaret meningitis* - **Mollaret's meningitis** is a rare form of **recurrent aseptic meningitis** strongly associated with **Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)** infection. - HSV-2 *DNA* can often be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid during episodes. *Herpes labialis* - Commonly known as **cold sores** or **fever blisters**, Herpes labialis is caused by **Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)**. - It results in recurrent vesicular lesions on the lips and around the mouth.

Q: Hydrops fetalis in a fetus can be due to:

Parvovirus B19. ***Parvovirus B19*** - **Parvovirus B19** infection in a fetus can lead to severe **anemia** and **hydrops fetalis** because the virus targets **erythroid progenitor cells**, impairing red blood cell production. - The resulting severe anemia causes **high-output cardiac failure**, leading to widespread edema, ascites, pleural effusions, and pericardial effusions, which characterize hydrops fetalis. *Epstein-Barr virus* - While **Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)** can infect the fetus, it is more commonly associated with conditions like **lymphoproliferative disorders** or **hepatosplenomegaly**, not typically hydrops fetalis as a primary manifestation. - EBV infection in pregnancy is often asymptomatic or causes mild illness and is not a common cause of severe fetal anemia or hydrops. *Human papilloma virus* - **Human papilloma virus (HPV)** is known to cause **genital warts** and is associated with **cervical cancer**, but it does not cause hydrops fetalis. - Vertical transmission of HPV can occur, leading to conditions like **recurrent respiratory papillomatosis** in the infant, but it does not affect red blood cell production or fluid balance in the fetus in a way that would cause hydrops. *Influenza Virus* - **Influenza virus** infection during pregnancy can lead to complications such as **preterm delivery** or **low birth weight**, but it is not a direct cause of hydrops fetalis. - The influenza virus primarily affects the respiratory system and does not directly target fetal erythroid cells or cause the severe anemia necessary for hydrops.

Q: Which strain was primarily responsible for the major human influenza pandemic in recent decades?

H1N1. ***H1N1*** - The **H1N1 strain** was responsible for the **2009 swine flu pandemic**, which was a significant global health event in recent decades. - This strain emerged through **reassortment** of avian, swine, and human influenza viruses, possessing genes from each. *H5N1* - **H5N1** is known as highly virulent **avian influenza** (bird flu) and has caused severe human infections, but it has not led to a widespread human pandemic due to its limited human-to-human transmission. - While concerning, it primarily remains a threat to poultry. *H7N9* - **H7N9** is another strain of **avian influenza** that has caused severe human infections, primarily in China, but it has not evolved for efficient human-to-human transmission needed for a pandemic. - Infections are usually linked to direct contact with infected poultry. *H7N7* - **H7N7** is an **avian influenza** strain that has caused localized outbreaks in poultry and some human infections, primarily among those working with infected birds. - It has not demonstrated the sustained human-to-human transmission necessary for a global pandemic.

Q: Among the following retroviruses, which has the strongest established link to direct cancer development?

HTLV - I. ***HTLV-I (Correct Answer)*** - **HTLV-I** is directly linked to **Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL)**, a highly aggressive malignancy of CD4+ T lymphocytes - The viral **Tax protein** plays a crucial role in ATL pathogenesis by dysregulating cell cycle progression and inhibiting apoptosis - This represents **direct oncogenesis** through viral protein-mediated cellular transformation - HTLV-I is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by IARC *HIV (formerly HTLV-III)* - While HIV is associated with increased risk of certain cancers such as **Kaposi's sarcoma** and **Non-Hodgkin lymphoma**, these are primarily due to **immunosuppression** rather than direct viral oncogenesis - HIV itself does not directly transform cells into cancerous ones; instead, it creates an environment conducive to the development of other virally-induced or immune-dysregulation-related cancers - The cancers are **indirect consequences** of immunodeficiency, not direct viral transformation *HTLV-II* - **HTLV-II** has been linked to some neurological disorders, but its association with **cancer development** is much weaker and less established than that of HTLV-I - Unlike HTLV-I, HTLV-II does not have a clear and consistent link to a specific type of human malignancy - No direct oncogenic mechanism has been definitively established *HTLV-IV* - **HTLV-IV** is a relatively newly recognized retrovirus and its association with human disease, especially cancer, is not well-established - Current research suggests it may be a simian virus with limited zoonotic transmission, and its oncogenic potential in humans is largely unknown - No established link to human cancer development

Q: Which of the following is not considered to be a slow virus disease?

Sarcoidosis. ***Sarcoidosis*** - Sarcoidosis is a multisystem **granulomatous disease** of unknown etiology, characterized by the formation of **non-caseating granulomas** in various organs. - It is an **inflammatory condition**, not a viral infection, and does not fit the criteria of a slow virus disease which typically refers to **prion diseases**. *Kuru* - Kuru is a **prion disease** caused by the consumption of infected brain tissue, primarily affecting the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. - It is characterized by progressive **cerebellar ataxia** and dementia, with a long incubation period typical of a **slow virus disease**. *Scrapie* - Scrapie is a **prion disease** affecting sheep and goats, leading to neurological degeneration. - It serves as a classic example of a **transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE)** with a prolonged incubation period, classifying it as a slow virus disease. *Creutzfeldt Jakob disease* - Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a **fatal neurodegenerative prion disease** in humans. - It is characterized by rapidly progressive dementia, myoclonus, and other neurological symptoms, with features consistent with a **slow virus disease** due to its long incubation.

Q: What is another name for HTLV-1?

ATLV. ***ATLV*** - **ATLV (Adult T-cell leukemia virus)** is an older name for **HTLV-1 (Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1)**. - This virus is well-known for causing **Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL)**, hence the original designation. *HIV* - **HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)** is a completely different retrovirus that causes **Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)**. - While both are retroviruses, their genetic makeup, epidemiology, and disease manifestations are distinct. *RSV* - **RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)** is a **paramyxovirus** primarily known for causing respiratory tract infections, especially in infants and young children. - It is an **RNA virus** and is unrelated to HTLV-1. *ALV* - **ALV (Avian Leukosis Virus)** is a retrovirus that infects chickens and other birds, causing various forms of **leukemia and tumors in avian species**. - It is an **animal retrovirus** and not related to human viruses like HTLV-1.

Q: Kaposi's sarcoma occurs with infection due to which virus?

HHV-8. ***HHV-8*** - **Kaposi's sarcoma** is a vascular tumor strongly associated with infection by **Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)**, also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). - HHV-8 is frequently found in the lesions of all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma, including classic, endemic, iatrogenic, and AIDS-related types. *HHV-4* - **HHV-4**, also known as **Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)**, is associated with various lymphomas (e.g., Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma) and infectious mononucleosis, but not Kaposi's sarcoma. - While EBV can cause malignancies, its mechanism and associated conditions are distinct from those linked to HHV-8. *HHV-2* - **HHV-2**, or **Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2)**, primarily causes **genital herpes** and can be associated with neonatal herpes infections. - HSV-2 is not implicated in the development of Kaposi's sarcoma. *HHV-1* - **HHV-1**, or **Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1)**, is the common cause of **oral herpes** (cold sores). - Like HSV-2, HSV-1 is not associated with Kaposi's sarcoma or its pathogenesis.

Q: Which is the most recent pandemic strain of influenza?

H1N1. ***Correct Option: H1N1*** - The **2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic** (swine flu) represented the **most recent global pandemic** of a novel influenza virus - This strain was a **reassortant virus** with genes from **swine, avian, and human influenza viruses** - Declared a pandemic by WHO in June 2009, lasting until August 2010 *Incorrect Option: H2N2* - The **H2N2 influenza A virus** caused the **1957-1958 Asian Flu pandemic** - This strain **is no longer in circulation** among humans, having been replaced by H3N2 in 1968 - Not the most recent pandemic strain *Incorrect Option: H5N1* - While **H5N1 avian influenza** has caused outbreaks in poultry and sporadic human infections with **high mortality (~60%)** - It has **NOT achieved sustained human-to-human transmission**, hence it is not considered a pandemic strain - Monitored as a potential pandemic threat due to its high virulence *Incorrect Option: H3N2* - The **H3N2 influenza A virus** was responsible for the **1968 Hong Kong Flu pandemic** - It has continued to circulate as a **seasonal influenza strain** since then - Not the most recent pandemic - preceded H1N1 2009 by over 40 years

Q: All of the following are RNA viruses except

Herpes virus. ***Herpes virus*** - **Herpesviruses** are a large family of **DNA viruses** that cause diseases in animals, including humans. - They are characterized by their ability to establish **latent infections** and periodically reactivate. *Influenza virus* - The **influenza virus** is an **RNA virus** belonging to the family **Orthomyxoviridae**. - It is known for causing the seasonal **flu** and respiratory infections. *Parainfluenza virus* - **Parainfluenza viruses** are a group of **RNA viruses** in the family **Paramyxoviridae**. - They are a common cause of **respiratory tract infections**, especially in children, leading to conditions like **croup**. *Mumps virus* - The **mumps virus** is an **RNA virus** that is part of the **Paramyxoviridae** family. - It is well-known for causing **mumps**, which is characterized by the swelling of the **parotid glands**.

Q: Which marker is typically not present during the acute phase of hepatitis B infection?

IgM Anti HBe Ag. ***IgM Anti HBe Ag*** - **IgM anti-HBe** is not a typical marker during acute hepatitis B because **HBeAg** itself is secreted early in infection, and antibodies against it (anti-HBe) usually develop during seroconversion from acute to chronic infection, or during resolution [1]. - The presence of **anti-HBe** signifies reduced infectivity and often indicates the beginning of viral clearance or a transition to a lower replication state, rather than the initial acute phase [1]. *HBV DNA* - **HBV DNA** is typically present during the acute phase of hepatitis B as it indicates active viral replication and is detectable in the blood soon after infection [1]. - High levels of HBV DNA correlate with high infectivity and active disease a hallmark of acute infection. *HBs Ag* - **HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen)** is the *first detectable marker* of acute hepatitis B infection, appearing even before symptoms begin [1]. - Its presence indicates active infection, whether acute or chronic, and it remains detectable throughout the acute phase [1]. *IgM Anti HBc Ag* - **IgM anti-HBc (IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen)** is a reliable marker for *acute or recent hepatitis B infection* [1]. - It becomes detectable shortly after HBsAg and can persist for several months, indicating an ongoing or recent acute process [1].

Question 1

Which of the following conditions is not caused by the Herpes simplex virus?

Accepted Answer

Carcinoma of the cervix

Answer

Gingivostomatitis

Answer

Mollaret meningitis

Answer

Herpes labialis

Question 2

Hydrops fetalis in a fetus can be due to:

Accepted Answer

Parvovirus B19

Answer

Human papilloma virus

Answer

Influenza Virus

Answer

Epstein-Barr virus

Question 3

Which strain was primarily responsible for the major human influenza pandemic in recent decades?

Accepted Answer

H1N1

Answer

H5N1

Answer

H7N9

Answer

H7N7

Question 4

Among the following retroviruses, which has the strongest established link to direct cancer development?

Accepted Answer

HTLV - I

Answer

HIV (formerly HTLV - III)

Answer

HTLV - II

Answer

HTLV - IV

Question 5

Which of the following is not considered to be a slow virus disease?

Accepted Answer

Sarcoidosis

Answer

Kuru

Answer

Scrapie

Answer

Creutzfeldt Jakob disease

Question 6

What is another name for HTLV-1?

Accepted Answer

ATLV

Answer

HIV

Answer

RSV

Answer

ALV

Question 7

Kaposi's sarcoma occurs with infection due to which virus?

Accepted Answer

HHV-8

Answer

HHV-4

Answer

HHV-2

Answer

HHV-1

Question 8

Which is the most recent pandemic strain of influenza?

Accepted Answer

H1N1

Answer

H2N2

Answer

H5N1

Answer

H3N2

Question 9

All of the following are RNA viruses except

Accepted Answer

Herpes virus

Answer

Influenza virus

Answer

Parainfluenza virus

Answer

Mumps virus

Question 10

Which marker is typically not present during the acute phase of hepatitis B infection?

Accepted Answer

IgM Anti HBe Ag

Answer

HBV DNA

Answer

HBs Ag

Answer

IgM Anti HBc Ag

Virology — MCQs

Virology — MCQs

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