Virology: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: 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: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Sample item

A 10-year-old who had measles at the age of 1 year develops declining school performance, myoclonic jerks and periodic complexes on EEG. Which finding in cerebrospinal fluid supports the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Raised anti-measles antibody titres

SSPE is a slow persistent infection by defective measles virus that appears years after acute measles, with very high CSF and serum anti-measles antibody. HSV encephalitis is acute, and cryptococcal antigen is for fungal meningitis.

Option by option

  • A. Cryptococcal antigen

    Cryptococcal antigen indicates fungal meningitis.

  • B. Raised anti-measles antibody titres (correct)

    Correct. High anti-measles antibody in CSF supports SSPE.

  • C. Herpes simplex DNA

    HSV DNA indicates acute herpes encephalitis.

  • D. Raised ADA level

    ADA is raised in tuberculous meningitis.

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 B, Raised anti-measles antibody titres. SSPE is a slow persistent infection by defective measles virus that appears years after acute measles, with very high CSF and serum anti-measles antibody.

Why is "Cryptococcal antigen" not the answer?

Cryptococcal antigen indicates fungal meningitis.

Why is "Herpes simplex DNA" not the answer?

HSV DNA indicates acute herpes encephalitis.

Why is "Raised ADA level" not the answer?

ADA is raised in tuberculous meningitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in Microbiology. HSV encephalitis is acute, and cryptococcal antigen is for fungal meningitis.

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: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?

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.