Virology: MERS coronavirus: 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: MERS coronavirus

Sample item

A returning pilgrim from the Arabian Peninsula has severe pneumonia, renal failure and a history of contact with camels. Which virus is suspected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. MERS coronavirus

MERS-CoV is a betacoronavirus linked to dromedary camels that causes severe pneumonia with renal failure. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome follows rodent exposure, and RSV and adenovirus do not typically cause this picture.

Option by option

  • A. Respiratory syncytial virus

    RSV causes bronchiolitis in infants.

  • B. Adenovirus type 7

    Adenovirus type 7 can cause pneumonia but not camel-linked renal failure.

  • C. MERS coronavirus (correct)

    Correct. Camel exposure with pneumonia and renal failure suggests MERS.

  • D. Hantavirus

    Hantavirus is linked to rodent excreta.

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 C, MERS coronavirus. MERS-CoV is a betacoronavirus linked to dromedary camels that causes severe pneumonia with renal failure.

Why is "Respiratory syncytial virus" not the answer?

RSV causes bronchiolitis in infants.

Why is "Adenovirus type 7" not the answer?

Adenovirus type 7 can cause pneumonia but not camel-linked renal failure.

Why is "Hantavirus" not the answer?

Hantavirus is linked to rodent excreta.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: MERS coronavirus in Microbiology. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome follows rodent exposure, and RSV and adenovirus do not typically cause this picture.

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: MERS coronavirus?

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.