Virology: hepatitis C diagnosis: 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: hepatitis C diagnosis

Sample item

A health-care worker has a needle-stick injury from a patient with hepatitis C. Three weeks later he has fatigue and a raised ALT, but anti-HCV antibody is negative. Which test is most appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. HCV RNA by PCR

HCV RNA becomes detectable within 1 to 2 weeks of exposure, while antibodies may take 8 to 12 weeks, leaving a long serological window. Nucleic acid testing therefore diagnoses early acute hepatitis C. Genotyping is done only after infection is confirmed and guides therapy.

Option by option

  • A. HCV RNA by PCR (correct)

    Correct. RNA detection by PCR identifies acute infection before seroconversion.

  • B. Liver biopsy

    Biopsy is invasive and is not a test for acute infection.

  • C. Repeat anti-HCV ELISA in one week

    Repeating the antibody test in a week is still within the serological window.

  • D. HCV genotyping

    Genotyping presupposes that infection has already been established.

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 A, HCV RNA by PCR. HCV RNA becomes detectable within 1 to 2 weeks of exposure, while antibodies may take 8 to 12 weeks, leaving a long serological window.

Why is "Liver biopsy" not the answer?

Biopsy is invasive and is not a test for acute infection.

Why is "Repeat anti-HCV ELISA in one week" not the answer?

Repeating the antibody test in a week is still within the serological window.

Why is "HCV genotyping" not the answer?

Genotyping presupposes that infection has already been established.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: hepatitis C diagnosis in Microbiology. Nucleic acid testing therefore diagnoses early acute hepatitis C. Genotyping is done only after infection is confirmed and guides therapy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: hepatitis C diagnosis?

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.