Virology: varicella zoster: 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: varicella zoster

Sample item

An elderly man has vesicles in the external auditory canal with ipsilateral facial palsy and ear pain. Which latent virus has reactivated?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Varicella zoster virus

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is reactivation of VZV in the geniculate ganglion, causing zoster oticus with facial palsy. HSV-2 affects sacral ganglia, EBV causes mononucleosis and HHV-6 causes roseola.

Option by option

  • A. Herpes simplex virus 2

    HSV-2 is latent in sacral ganglia and causes genital herpes.

  • B. Epstein-Barr virus

    EBV causes infectious mononucleosis and lymphoma.

  • C. Human herpesvirus 6

    HHV-6 causes roseola infantum in children.

  • D. Varicella zoster virus (correct)

    Correct. VZV reactivation in the geniculate ganglion causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

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 D, Varicella zoster virus. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is reactivation of VZV in the geniculate ganglion, causing zoster oticus with facial palsy.

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

HSV-2 is latent in sacral ganglia and causes genital herpes.

Why is "Epstein-Barr virus" not the answer?

EBV causes infectious mononucleosis and lymphoma.

Why is "Human herpesvirus 6" not the answer?

HHV-6 causes roseola infantum in children.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: varicella zoster in Microbiology. HSV-2 affects sacral ganglia, EBV causes mononucleosis and HHV-6 causes roseola.

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: varicella zoster?

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.