Virology: yellow fever pathology: 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: yellow fever pathology

Sample item

A forest worker has fever and jaundice followed by black vomit and bleeding, with a slow pulse relative to fever. At autopsy, the liver shows midzonal necrosis with eosinophilic apoptotic hepatocytes (Councilman bodies). Which virus is the cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Yellow fever virus

Yellow fever virus is a flavivirus spread by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes. It causes midzonal hepatic necrosis with Councilman bodies, jaundice, haemorrhage and black vomit, with a relatively slow pulse called Faget sign.

Option by option

  • A. Kyasanur Forest disease virus

    Kyasanur Forest disease is tick-borne and causes haemorrhagic illness in Karnataka, with no characteristic Faget sign.

  • B. Yellow fever virus (correct)

    Correct. Faget sign, black vomit and midzonal necrosis with Councilman bodies indicate yellow fever.

  • C. Hepatitis A virus

    Hepatitis A gives self-limited hepatitis and not haemorrhagic fever with black vomit.

  • D. Dengue virus

    Dengue mainly causes thrombocytopenia and plasma leakage, and jaundice with black vomit is uncommon.

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 B, Yellow fever virus. Yellow fever virus is a flavivirus spread by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes.

Why is "Kyasanur Forest disease virus" not the answer?

Kyasanur Forest disease is tick-borne and causes haemorrhagic illness in Karnataka, with no characteristic Faget sign.

Why is "Hepatitis A virus" not the answer?

Hepatitis A gives self-limited hepatitis and not haemorrhagic fever with black vomit.

Why is "Dengue virus" not the answer?

Dengue mainly causes thrombocytopenia and plasma leakage, and jaundice with black vomit is uncommon.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: yellow fever pathology in Microbiology. It causes midzonal hepatic necrosis with Councilman bodies, jaundice, haemorrhage and black vomit, with a relatively slow pulse called Faget sign.

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: yellow fever pathology?

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.