Virology: rapid CMV culture: 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: rapid CMV culture

Sample item

A laboratory wants culture-based detection of cytomegalovirus in urine within 48 hours rather than waiting weeks for characteristic cytopathic effect. Which method is most suitable?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Shell vial culture with monoclonal antibody staining

In the shell vial technique, the specimen is centrifuged onto a cell monolayer on a coverslip, and immediate early antigens are detected by fluorescent monoclonal antibody after 1 to 2 days. This avoids the slow appearance of cytopathic effect in CMV culture.

Option by option

  • A. Intracerebral inoculation of suckling mice

    Suckling mouse inoculation is used for some arboviruses and coxsackie A viruses, not CMV.

  • B. Yolk sac inoculation of embryonated eggs

    Egg inoculation is not used for CMV, which does not grow in embryonated eggs.

  • C. Shell vial culture with monoclonal antibody staining (correct)

    Correct. Centrifugation-enhanced culture with early-antigen staining gives a result in about 24 to 48 hours.

  • D. Haemadsorption test on monkey kidney cells

    Haemadsorption detects viruses that bind red cells, such as parainfluenza, and not CMV.

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 C, Shell vial culture with monoclonal antibody staining. In the shell vial technique, the specimen is centrifuged onto a cell monolayer on a coverslip, and immediate early antigens are detected by fluorescent monoclonal antibody after 1 to 2 days.

Why is "Intracerebral inoculation of suckling mice" not the answer?

Suckling mouse inoculation is used for some arboviruses and coxsackie A viruses, not CMV.

Why is "Yolk sac inoculation of embryonated eggs" not the answer?

Egg inoculation is not used for CMV, which does not grow in embryonated eggs.

Why is "Haemadsorption test on monkey kidney cells" not the answer?

Haemadsorption detects viruses that bind red cells, such as parainfluenza, and not CMV.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: rapid CMV culture in Microbiology. This avoids the slow appearance of cytopathic effect in CMV culture.

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: rapid CMV culture?

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.