Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: recombinant zoster vaccine: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: recombinant zoster vaccine

Sample item

A 62-year-old who has had shingles asks about a vaccine that is not a live virus and can be offered to people on immunosuppressive treatment. What kind of zoster vaccine is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Recombinant glycoprotein E subunit with an adjuvant

The recombinant zoster vaccine contains varicella zoster glycoprotein E with an adjuvant system. Being non-live, it can be used in immunocompromised adults, unlike the live attenuated zoster vaccine. It is given as two doses for older adults.

Option by option

  • A. Whole inactivated varicella virus

    Whole inactivated virus is not the formulation of the recombinant zoster vaccine.

  • B. Plain polysaccharide capsular vaccine

    Polysaccharide capsular vaccines target bacteria such as pneumococcus, not a virus.

  • C. Live attenuated Oka strain virus

    The live attenuated vaccine is avoided in significant immunosuppression.

  • D. Recombinant glycoprotein E subunit with an adjuvant (correct)

    Correct. A glycoprotein E subunit with adjuvant is non-live and suitable for immunosuppressed adults.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Recombinant glycoprotein E subunit with an adjuvant. The recombinant zoster vaccine contains varicella zoster glycoprotein E with an adjuvant system.

Why is "Whole inactivated varicella virus" not the answer?

Whole inactivated virus is not the formulation of the recombinant zoster vaccine.

Why is "Plain polysaccharide capsular vaccine" not the answer?

Polysaccharide capsular vaccines target bacteria such as pneumococcus, not a virus.

Why is "Live attenuated Oka strain virus" not the answer?

The live attenuated vaccine is avoided in significant immunosuppression.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: recombinant zoster vaccine in Dermatology. Being non-live, it can be used in immunocompromised adults, unlike the live attenuated zoster vaccine. It is given as two doses for older adults.

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 Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: recombinant zoster vaccine?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.