Virology: Zika virus: 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.

Try it

Microbiology · Virology: Zika virus

Sample item

A pregnant woman has mild fever, maculopapular rash, non-purulent conjunctivitis and arthralgia after returning from an endemic area, and her partner has similar symptoms. Ultrasound shows fetal microcephaly with intracranial calcifications. RT-PCR confirms the cause. Which virus is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Zika virus

Zika is an Aedes-borne flavivirus that can also be transmitted sexually and across the placenta, causing congenital microcephaly and brain calcifications. In adults it can cause Guillain-Barre syndrome. There is no specific antiviral therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Rubella virus

    Rubella is not sexually transmitted and mainly causes cataract, deafness and cardiac defects.

  • B. Chikungunya virus

    Chikungunya causes high fever with severe polyarthralgia and is not a cause of congenital microcephaly.

  • C. Dengue virus

    Dengue causes fever with thrombocytopenia and plasma leakage and is not a cause of microcephaly.

  • D. Zika virus (correct)

    Zika virus causes congenital microcephaly and can be sexually transmitted.

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 D, Zika virus. Zika is an Aedes-borne flavivirus that can also be transmitted sexually and across the placenta, causing congenital microcephaly and brain calcifications.

Why is "Rubella virus" not the answer?

Rubella is not sexually transmitted and mainly causes cataract, deafness and cardiac defects.

Why is "Chikungunya virus" not the answer?

Chikungunya causes high fever with severe polyarthralgia and is not a cause of congenital microcephaly.

Why is "Dengue virus" not the answer?

Dengue causes fever with thrombocytopenia and plasma leakage and is not a cause of microcephaly.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: Zika virus in Microbiology. In adults it can cause Guillain-Barre syndrome. There is no specific antiviral therapy.

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: Zika virus?

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.