Virology Insights: Facts on Herpes, Hepatitis, and Viral Infections

Classification of Herpesviridae

• HHV1 - Human Herpes Simplex Virus 1
• HHV2 - Huan Herpes Simplex Virus 2
• HHV3 - Human Herpes Zoster Virus
• HHV4 - Human Herpesvirus Epstein–Barr virus
• HHV5 - Human Herpesvirus Cytomegalovirus (largest member)
• HHV6 - Human Herpesvirus 6
• HHV7 - Human Herpesvirus 7
• HHV8 - Human Herpesvirus 8

Largest Virus: Pox (300 nm)

Smallest Virus: Parvo (20 nm)

Hepatitis G

• Does not cause known human infection.
• Affects mononuclear cells.
• Route of transmission: Blood transfusion
• Protects against HIV

Viral Hepatitis

• Hepatitis A [27 nm]
• Hepatitis B [42 nm]/ Dane particle.
• Hepatitis C [60 nm].
• Hepatitis D
• Hepatitis E [30 nm]
• Hepatitis G

Hepatitis A shows an increase in plasma cells.

Acute hepatitis: Faeco-oral route. Hepatitis C Shows cholestasis (bile plugs/static

All DNA viruses are double-stranded.

Except:

• 1 single-stranded DNA virus is Parvo
• Partial double-stranded virus is Hepatitis B

Also read: Understanding Microbial Staining and Sterilization Methods

Important Points To Remember 

• Most common cause of sporadic acute Hep in India? Hep E
• Most common cause of fulminant viral hepatitis? HDV
• Most common cause of fulminant viral hepatitis in preg? HEV
• Most common cause of transfusion related hepatitis? HBV
• Most common cause of chronic Hepatitis? HBV
• Max risk & potential of chronicity? HCV
• Most common cause  of carrier state? HBV
• Most common cause of viral HCC? HBV

All RNA viruses are unsegmented but there are some exceptions; influenza is one such exception

• MR FAB - M for myxovirus

○ Helical symmetry

○ Negative sense RNA

Segmented RNA - BIRA

B - Bunya virus - 3 segments

I - influenza - 8 segments

R - reovirus - 8+3 = 11 segments

A - Arenavirus - 1+1 = 2 segments

Also read: Helminthology : Structure, Classification, Growth, and

Antigenic Shift vs Antigenic Drift

Incubation periods

• Measles - 10 days
• Mumps - 19 days
• Rubella - 14 days

Strains

• Measles - Edmonston Zagreb Strain
• Mumps - Jeryl Lynn Strain
• Rubella - RA 27/3

Sandfly as a vector in

Leishmania or kala azar

Bartonella bacilliformis

• bacilliFORmiS
• OR - Oroya fever
• FS- sandfly

Vesicular stomatitis virus

Also read: Fungal Infections: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Incubation Periods 

• Dengue (5-6 days)
• Chikungunya (5-6 days)
• Japanese Encephalitis (5-15 days, 10 as median)
• Yellow fever (3-6 days)
• Kyasanur Forest Disease (4-8 days)

PRNT (Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test) is done for confirmation of the Ab for the particular organisms in all flaviviruses.

Also read: FMGE Microbiology Previous Year Questions

Previous Year Questions 

Q. In which of the following, viral load done by Real time PCR is of no role in investigation procedure?

A. Person with hepatitis B on Tenofovir therapy

B. HSV causing temporal encephalitis

C. BK virus in patient of allograft renal transplant

D. CMV PCR in blood of patient of liver transplant

Q. A 5-year-old child came to OPD with fever, rashes on his body. There were rashes on the axilla & flexor surface with various macule papules & vesicles. The most probable diagnosis is?

A. Measles

B. Chicken pox

C. Epstein Barr

D. Hand foot mouth disease

Q. Which vaccine is contraindicated in pregnancy?

A. Hepatitis A

B. Hepatitis B

C. Rabies

D. Chicken pox

Also read: Arboviridae: Types, Symptoms, and Complications

Q. Herpes Zoster multiplied? 

A. Peripheral nerve

B. Epithelium of skin

C. Dorsal root ganglion

D. Pharyngeal Epithelial cell

Q. Shingles are caused by which of the following?

A. Varicella Zoster

B. Herpes Simplex

C. CMV

D. EBV

Q. After kidney transplantation which organism infection is more likely to happen?

A. CMV

B. EBV

C. Hepatitis virus

D. Polyoma virus

Q. MC infection post solid organ transplantation?

A. CMV

B. HSV

C. EBV

D. HPV

Q. Which of the following viruses is from the Herpes virus family?

A. Rubella

B. Measles

C. Rabies

D. EBV

Also read: Antimicrobial Drugs: Combatting Infections

Q. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma associated with which of the following? 

A. HPV

B. HHV

C. EBV

D. HSV

Q. Oral hairy leucoplakia is caused by?

A. CMV

B. EBV

C. Kaposi Sarcoma

D. Varicella Zoster

Q. All of the following are associated with HHV 8 except?

A. Kaposi Sarcoma

B. Primary effusion lymphoma

C. Castleman disease

D. T-cell leukaemia

Q. Molluscum Contagiosum is a? 

A. Adeno virus

B. Flavi virus

C. Rubi virus

D. Pox virus

Also read: Physical and Chemical Methods of Sterilization: Techniques and Controls

Q. Which sub-type of human papilloma virus has maximum chances of causing carcinoma cervix? 

A. HPV 16 & 18

B. HPV 6 & 11

C. HPV 31 & 32

D. HPV 1&2

Q. Condyloma acuminatum is caused by? 

A. Epstein bar virus

B. Varicella Zoster

C. Molluscum contagiosum

D. Human papilloma virus

Q. Maternal antibodies do not provide protective immunity to neonate in? 

A. Diphtheria

B. Pertussis

C. Tetanus

D. Polio

Q. Aseptic meningitis case fever of 4 days, with erythematous rash on chest with no h/o travel, tick bite. CSF findings - protein high, glucose normal, lymphocytosis monocytes 34%?

A. Strep pneumoniae

B. Meningococci

C. West Nile

D. Enterovirus

Q. Recent influenza A pandemic was d/t? 

A. H1N1

B. H5N1

C. H7N7

D. H3N3

Also read: Essential One-Liners in ENT: Key Facts, Diagnoses & Treatments

Q. Which vaccine strain is changed every year?

A. Influenza

B. Rabies

C. Hepatitis

D. Ebola

Q. Warthin Finkeldey cells are seen in?

A. Measles

B. Rubella

C. Rabies

D. Mumps

Q. SSPE is a complication of?

A. Measles

B. Mumps

C. Rubella

D. Rabies

Q. A neonate was found to have cataract, deafness & cardiac defects. Which group of viruses does the mother was infected with?

A. Togaviridae

B. Flaviviridae

C. Bunyaviridae

D. Arenaviridae

Q. True about congenital rubella syndrome is?

A. Blueberry Muffin rash is seen

B. Virus can be isolated only upto 6 months after birth

C. Triad of CRS are cataract, cardiac defects, cerebral palsy

D. Infection is most serious after 5 months of pregnancy

Also read: Instruments Used in ENT: A Comprehensive Guide

Download the PrepLadder app now to access high-yield content with 24-hr Free Trial. Explore premium study resources like Video Lectures, FMGE notes, QBank, and Mock Tests for a seamless exam preparation. Time to begin your FMGE Microbiology coaching online with PrepLadder.