Vaccines: 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 · Vaccines

Sample item

Why are live attenuated vaccines generally avoided in severe immunosuppression?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Attenuated organism may replicate excessively

Severe immunosuppression can permit excessive replication of an attenuated organism, creating risk of vaccine-related disease despite its usual reduced virulence.

Option by option

  • A. They cannot induce immunity

    They can induce strong immune responses.

  • B. Attenuated organism may replicate excessively (correct)

    Correct: impaired immunity may not control replication.

  • C. They always cause bacterial sepsis

    Bacterial sepsis is not the universal mechanism.

  • D. They contain no antigen

    Live vaccines do contain antigenic organisms.

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, Attenuated organism may replicate excessively. Severe immunosuppression can permit excessive replication of an attenuated organism, creating risk of vaccine-related disease despite its usual reduced virulence.

Why is "They cannot induce immunity" not the answer?

They can induce strong immune responses.

Why is "They always cause bacterial sepsis" not the answer?

Bacterial sepsis is not the universal mechanism.

Why is "They contain no antigen" not the answer?

Live vaccines do contain antigenic organisms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vaccines in Microbiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: impaired immunity may not control replication.

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 Vaccines?

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.