Virology: CMV pp65 antigenaemia: 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.

Try it

Microbiology · Virology: CMV pp65 antigenaemia

Sample item

Five weeks after renal transplantation, a patient has fever and leucopenia. Which test detects active cytomegalovirus infection rapidly by demonstrating viral protein inside peripheral blood leukocytes?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. pp65 antigenaemia assay

The pp65 antigenaemia assay stains a CMV matrix protein in circulating neutrophils and gives a result within hours. Quantitative PCR is now more widely used, whereas IgG only shows past exposure.

Option by option

  • A. Tzanck smear of a skin lesion

    A Tzanck smear shows multinucleated giant cells in herpes simplex or varicella lesions.

  • B. Serum anti-CMV IgG titre

    IgG indicates past exposure and cannot distinguish active disease in a transplant recipient.

  • C. pp65 antigenaemia assay (correct)

    Correct. pp65 antigen in blood leukocytes shows active replication and is quick to perform.

  • D. Culture of urine for 21 days

    Prolonged culture is slow and detects excretion without showing invasive 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 C, pp65 antigenaemia assay. The pp65 antigenaemia assay stains a CMV matrix protein in circulating neutrophils and gives a result within hours.

Why is "Tzanck smear of a skin lesion" not the answer?

A Tzanck smear shows multinucleated giant cells in herpes simplex or varicella lesions.

Why is "Serum anti-CMV IgG titre" not the answer?

IgG indicates past exposure and cannot distinguish active disease in a transplant recipient.

Why is "Culture of urine for 21 days" not the answer?

Prolonged culture is slow and detects excretion without showing invasive disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: CMV pp65 antigenaemia in Microbiology. Quantitative PCR is now more widely used, whereas IgG only shows past exposure.

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: CMV pp65 antigenaemia?

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.