Virology: cultivation of viruses: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Virology: cultivation of viruses

Sample item

A laboratory inoculates a clinical sample on the chorioallantoic membrane of 10-day-old embryonated hen eggs. After 3 days, discrete white pock lesions are seen on the membrane. Which virus most probably produced them?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Herpes simplex virus

The chorioallantoic membrane supports the growth of poxviruses and herpes simplex virus, and these produce visible pocks. Influenza virus is grown in the amniotic or allantoic cavities. Rhinoviruses and polioviruses do not grow in eggs and are cultured in cell lines.

Option by option

  • A. Rhinovirus

    Rhinoviruses do not grow in embryonated eggs.

  • B. Herpes simplex virus (correct)

    Correct. Herpes simplex virus produces pocks on the chorioallantoic membrane.

  • C. Poliovirus

    Poliovirus is cultivated in cell lines such as monkey kidney or HEp-2, not in eggs.

  • D. Influenza A virus

    Influenza virus is cultured in the amniotic and allantoic cavity and shows haemagglutination, not pocks.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is B, Herpes simplex virus. The chorioallantoic membrane supports the growth of poxviruses and herpes simplex virus, and these produce visible pocks.

Why is "Rhinovirus" not the answer?

Rhinoviruses do not grow in embryonated eggs.

Why is "Poliovirus" not the answer?

Poliovirus is cultivated in cell lines such as monkey kidney or HEp-2, not in eggs.

Why is "Influenza A virus" not the answer?

Influenza virus is cultured in the amniotic and allantoic cavity and shows haemagglutination, not pocks.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: cultivation of viruses in Microbiology. Influenza virus is grown in the amniotic or allantoic cavities. Rhinoviruses and polioviruses do not grow in eggs and are cultured in cell lines.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Virology: cultivation of viruses?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.