Virology: enterovirus A71: 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: enterovirus A71

Sample item

A 3-year-old child has hand, foot and mouth disease. Three days later he develops myoclonic jerks, ataxia, tremor, tachycardia and pulmonary oedema. Which agent is most likely to cause this complication?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Enterovirus A71

Enterovirus A71 is neurotropic and, in addition to typical hand, foot and mouth disease, can cause brainstem encephalitis with myoclonus, ataxia and autonomic instability leading to neurogenic pulmonary oedema. Coxsackie A16 usually causes a mild illness. Poliovirus-like acute flaccid paralysis can also occur with EV-A71.

Option by option

  • A. Enterovirus A71 (correct)

    EV-A71 produces brainstem encephalitis and neurogenic pulmonary oedema after hand, foot and mouth disease.

  • B. Human herpesvirus 6

    Human herpesvirus 6 causes roseola infantum with fever and rash.

  • C. Parechovirus A3

    Parechovirus A3 causes sepsis-like illness and meningitis in young infants rather than HFMD with this pattern.

  • D. Coxsackievirus A16

    Coxsackievirus A16 typically causes a mild self-limiting form of hand, foot and mouth disease.

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, Enterovirus A71. Enterovirus A71 is neurotropic and, in addition to typical hand, foot and mouth disease, can cause brainstem encephalitis with myoclonus, ataxia and autonomic instability leading to neurogenic pulmonary oedema.

Why is "Human herpesvirus 6" not the answer?

Human herpesvirus 6 causes roseola infantum with fever and rash.

Why is "Parechovirus A3" not the answer?

Parechovirus A3 causes sepsis-like illness and meningitis in young infants rather than HFMD with this pattern.

Why is "Coxsackievirus A16" not the answer?

Coxsackievirus A16 typically causes a mild self-limiting form of hand, foot and mouth disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: enterovirus A71 in Microbiology. Coxsackie A16 usually causes a mild illness. Poliovirus-like acute flaccid paralysis can also occur with EV-A71.

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: enterovirus A71?

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.