Virology: 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

Sample item

A teenager has fever, exudative pharyngitis, posterior cervical lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Which serological test supports the diagnosis of the likely causative virus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Heterophile antibody (Paul-Bunnell or monospot) test

Infectious mononucleosis is caused by Epstein-Barr virus, which infects B cells. Heterophile antibodies that agglutinate sheep or horse red cells appear in most older children and adults, and atypical lymphocytes are seen on the smear.

Option by option

  • A. Weil-Felix reaction

    The Weil-Felix test uses Proteus antigens to detect rickettsial infection.

  • B. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test

    The VDRL is a non-treponemal test for syphilis.

  • C. Heterophile antibody (Paul-Bunnell or monospot) test (correct)

    Correct. Heterophile antibodies are the classic screening test for EBV mononucleosis.

  • D. Widal test

    The Widal test detects antibodies against Salmonella.

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 C, Heterophile antibody (Paul-Bunnell or monospot) test. Infectious mononucleosis is caused by Epstein-Barr virus, which infects B cells.

Why is "Weil-Felix reaction" not the answer?

The Weil-Felix test uses Proteus antigens to detect rickettsial infection.

Why is "Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test" not the answer?

The VDRL is a non-treponemal test for syphilis.

Why is "Widal test" not the answer?

The Widal test detects antibodies against Salmonella.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology in Microbiology. Heterophile antibodies that agglutinate sheep or horse red cells appear in most older children and adults, and atypical lymphocytes are seen on the smear.

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?

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.