Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment — Practice Questions | Essay Questions | Ompath Study
Practice 6 structured short- and long-answer medical questions on Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment — Practice Questions. R...
Essay Questions and Answers
Q1. A 3-year-old child presents with fever and painful vesicles on the gums and oral mucosa. A healthcare worker develops painful, vesicular lesions on their finger after exposure. 1. Identify the most likely viral pathogen responsible for these infections. 2. State the primary site of latency for this virus. 3. Briefly describe one characteristic finding on a Tzanck smear for this infection.
Q2. A pregnant woman in her first trimester is diagnosed with primary varicella. 1. What is the potential risk to the fetus if this infection occurs early in pregnancy? 2. Describe the characteristic appearance of the rash in chickenpox (varicella) in a child. 3. Name a severe neurological complication associated with varicella in children, especially if salicylates are administered.
Q3. An HIV-positive patient develops progressive vision loss due to retinitis. A newborn presents with microcephaly, brain calcification, and hepatosplenomegaly. 1. Identify the common viral pathogen responsible for both clinical scenarios. 2. What is the characteristic histological finding in infected cells for this virus? 3. List two routes of transmission for this virus in the congenital/neonatal setting.
Q4. A 17-year-old presents with fever, malaise, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. Blood tests reveal absolute lymphocytosis with atypical lymphocytes. 1. What is the most likely viral etiology of this patient's condition? 2. Name the specific type of host cell primarily infected and where this virus establishes latency. 3. List two EBV-associated malignancies mentioned in the article.
Q5. A patient presents with a dermatomal rash suspected to be shingles. 1. What is the underlying viral etiology of shingles? 2. What is the latency site for this virus? 3. Describe the severe chronic pain complication associated with shingles and explain why antivirals are ineffective for it.
Q6. Herpesviridae are significant human pathogens known for their ability to establish latency and cause recurrent disease. 1. Briefly describe the general characteristics of all Herpesviruses. (3 marks) 2. Compare and contrast the pathogenesis, typical clinical presentations, and common latency sites for Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV). (10 marks) 3. Discuss the laboratory diagnostic approaches for confirming HSV and VZV infections, highlighting any shared findings. (4 marks) 4. Outline the primary antiviral treatment used for HSV and VZV, and explain its mechanism of action and one limitation regarding latency. (3 marks)