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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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 receptors do avian influenza HA viruses primarily bind to?

Alpha 2-3 sialic acid receptors. ***Alpha 2-3 sialic acid receptors*** - Avian influenza viruses preferentially bind to **alpha 2-3 sialic acid receptors**, which are abundant in the **gastrointestinal tract of birds**. - This specificity explains why these viruses primarily infect birds and generally require adaptation to infect humans efficiently. - The α2-3 linkage configuration allows optimal binding of avian HA proteins. *Alpha 2-6 sialic acid receptors* - These receptors are the **primary binding targets for human-adapted influenza A viruses**, found abundantly in the **human upper respiratory tract**. - Avian influenza viruses typically bind less efficiently to α2-6 receptors unless specific mutations occur in the HA protein. - The shift from α2-3 to α2-6 binding preference is a key adaptation for human transmission. *Alpha 2-8 sialic acid receptors* - Alpha 2-8 linkages exist in **polysialic acid chains** and certain gangliosides but are **not recognized binding targets for influenza HA proteins**. - Influenza viruses specifically recognize α2-3 or α2-6 linkages, not α2-8. *Alpha 2-9 sialic acid receptors* - Alpha 2-9 linkages are **not biologically relevant receptors for influenza viruses**. - The key receptor specificity determinant for influenza is the distinction between α2-3 (avian) and α2-6 (human) linkages.

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**.

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

What is another name for HTLV-1?

Accepted Answer

ATLV

Answer

HIV

Answer

RSV

Answer

ALV

Question 4

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 5

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

Accepted Answer

H1N1

Answer

H5N1

Answer

H7N9

Answer

H7N7

Question 6

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 7

Which is the most recent pandemic strain of influenza?

Accepted Answer

H1N1

Answer

H2N2

Answer

H5N1

Answer

H3N2

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

HHV-8

Answer

HHV-4

Answer

HHV-2

Answer

HHV-1

Question 9

Which receptors do avian influenza HA viruses primarily bind to?

Accepted Answer

Alpha 2-3 sialic acid receptors

Answer

Alpha 2-9 sialic acid receptors

Answer

Alpha 2-6 sialic acid receptors

Answer

Alpha 2-8 sialic acid receptors

Question 10

All of the following are RNA viruses except

Accepted Answer

Herpes virus

Answer

Influenza virus

Answer

Parainfluenza virus

Answer

Mumps virus

Virology — MCQs

Virology — MCQs

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