Virology: EBV and Burkitt lymphoma: 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: EBV and Burkitt lymphoma

Sample item

A 7-year-old boy from sub-Saharan Africa has a rapidly enlarging jaw mass. Biopsy shows sheets of medium-sized B cells with many macrophages giving a starry-sky pattern, and Epstein-Barr virus is demonstrated in the tumour cells. Which genetic change is characteristic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. t(8;14) placing MYC near the IgH locus

Endemic Burkitt lymphoma is associated with Epstein-Barr virus and holoendemic malaria. All forms carry a translocation, most often t(8;14), that places MYC under the control of immunoglobulin heavy-chain regulatory elements and drives proliferation.

Option by option

  • A. t(8;14) placing MYC near the IgH locus (correct)

    Correct. t(8;14) deregulates MYC, the defining lesion of Burkitt lymphoma.

  • B. t(14;18) causing BCL2 overexpression

    t(14;18) with BCL2 overexpression is characteristic of follicular lymphoma.

  • C. t(9;22) forming a BCR-ABL fusion

    t(9;22) producing BCR-ABL is seen in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

  • D. t(11;14) causing cyclin D1 overexpression

    t(11;14) with cyclin D1 overexpression is seen in mantle cell lymphoma.

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, t(8;14) placing MYC near the IgH locus. Endemic Burkitt lymphoma is associated with Epstein-Barr virus and holoendemic malaria.

Why is "t(14;18) causing BCL2 overexpression" not the answer?

t(14;18) with BCL2 overexpression is characteristic of follicular lymphoma.

Why is "t(9;22) forming a BCR-ABL fusion" not the answer?

t(9;22) producing BCR-ABL is seen in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Why is "t(11;14) causing cyclin D1 overexpression" not the answer?

t(11;14) with cyclin D1 overexpression is seen in mantle cell lymphoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: EBV and Burkitt lymphoma in Microbiology. All forms carry a translocation, most often t(8;14), that places MYC under the control of immunoglobulin heavy-chain regulatory elements and drives proliferation.

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: EBV and Burkitt lymphoma?

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.