Virology: 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

Sample item

What is the usual route of rabies virus spread to the central nervous system?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Retrograde axonal transport

Rabies enters peripheral nerves at the bite site and travels by retrograde axonal transport toward the central nervous system.

Option by option

  • A. Retrograde axonal transport (correct)

    Correct: nerve transport explains delayed neurological disease.

  • B. Lymphatic flow to skin

    Lymphatic skin flow is not the mechanism.

  • C. Direct spread through CSF from nose

    Nasal CSF spread is not the rabies pathway.

  • D. Haematogenous spread from gut only

    Gut bloodstream spread is not the usual route.

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 A, Retrograde axonal transport. Rabies enters peripheral nerves at the bite site and travels by retrograde axonal transport toward the central nervous system.

Why is "Lymphatic flow to skin" not the answer?

Lymphatic skin flow is not the mechanism.

Why is "Direct spread through CSF from nose" not the answer?

Nasal CSF spread is not the rabies pathway.

Why is "Haematogenous spread from gut only" not the answer?

Gut bloodstream spread is not the usual route.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology in Microbiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: nerve transport explains delayed neurological disease.

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?

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.