Virology: congenital varicella syndrome: 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: congenital varicella syndrome

Sample item

A newborn has limb hypoplasia, cicatricial skin scars in a dermatomal pattern, and chorioretinitis. The mother had a febrile vesicular rash at 14 weeks of gestation. Which virus is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Varicella-zoster virus

Congenital varicella syndrome follows maternal primary varicella during roughly the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Features include dermatomal skin scarring, limb hypoplasia, eye damage and neurological damage.

Option by option

  • A. Rubella virus

    Congenital rubella causes cataract, heart defects such as patent ductus and deafness.

  • B. Varicella-zoster virus (correct)

    Correct. Dermatomal scarring with limb hypoplasia after first-half maternal varicella is characteristic.

  • C. Cytomegalovirus

    Congenital CMV typically causes microcephaly with periventricular calcification and hearing loss.

  • D. Herpes simplex virus type 2

    Neonatal HSV infection usually causes skin, eye and mouth disease or encephalitis acquired at delivery.

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, Varicella-zoster virus. Congenital varicella syndrome follows maternal primary varicella during roughly the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Why is "Rubella virus" not the answer?

Congenital rubella causes cataract, heart defects such as patent ductus and deafness.

Why is "Cytomegalovirus" not the answer?

Congenital CMV typically causes microcephaly with periventricular calcification and hearing loss.

Why is "Herpes simplex virus type 2" not the answer?

Neonatal HSV infection usually causes skin, eye and mouth disease or encephalitis acquired at delivery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: congenital varicella syndrome in Microbiology. Features include dermatomal skin scarring, limb hypoplasia, eye damage and neurological damage.

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: congenital varicella syndrome?

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.