Virology: Chandipura virus: 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: Chandipura virus

Sample item

During the monsoon, children in central and western India present with high fever, vomiting and rapidly progressive encephalitis with high mortality. The virus is a bullet-shaped RNA virus spread by sandflies. Which virus is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Chandipura virus

Chandipura virus is a vesiculovirus in the Rhabdoviridae family, and it is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. It has caused outbreaks of acute encephalitis in children in parts of India, and there is no specific treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Chandipura virus (correct)

    Correct. A sandfly-transmitted rhabdovirus causing paediatric encephalitis is Chandipura virus.

  • B. Rabies virus

    Rabies virus is also bullet-shaped but spreads by animal bite and not by sandflies.

  • C. Japanese encephalitis virus

    Japanese encephalitis virus is a flavivirus carried by Culex mosquitoes.

  • D. Nipah virus

    Nipah virus is a paramyxovirus spread from bats via fruit, palm sap or contact.

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.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Chandipura virus. Chandipura virus is a vesiculovirus in the Rhabdoviridae family, and it is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies.

Why is "Rabies virus" not the answer?

Rabies virus is also bullet-shaped but spreads by animal bite and not by sandflies.

Why is "Japanese encephalitis virus" not the answer?

Japanese encephalitis virus is a flavivirus carried by Culex mosquitoes.

Why is "Nipah virus" not the answer?

Nipah virus is a paramyxovirus spread from bats via fruit, palm sap or contact.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: Chandipura virus in Microbiology. It has caused outbreaks of acute encephalitis in children in parts of India, and there is no specific treatment.

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: Chandipura virus?

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.