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microbiology A 40 year-old nun who was seropositive for HIV experienced abdomina

ID: 89705 • Letter: M

Question


microbiology

A 40 year-old nun who was seropositive for HIV experienced abdominal pain, fatigue, and low grade fever (38 degree C for 2 weeks. A chest X-ray examination revealed lung Infiltrates. Gram and acid fast stains were negative. A viral culture revealed the cause of his symptoms: a large, enveloped polyhedral virus with double stranded DNA. What is the disease? Which virus causes it? Why was a viral culture done after the Gram and acid-fast stain results were obtained? A newborn female developed extensive vesicular and ulcerative lesions over her face and chest What is the most likely cause of her symptoms? How would you determine the viral cause of this disease without doing a viral culture? By May 14, two people living in the same household had died within 5 days of each other. Their illnesses were characterized by abrupt onset of fever, muscle pain, headache, and cough, followed by the rapid development of respiratory failure. By the end of the year, 36 cases of this disease, with a 50% mortality rate, had been confirmed. A member of the Orthomyxoviridae, Bunyaviridae, or Adenoviridae could cause this disease. Differentiate among these families by method of transmission, morphology, nucleic acid, and type of replication. The reservoir for this disease is mice. Name the disease.

Explanation / Answer

A newborn female developed extensive vesicular and ulcerative lesions over her face and chest. What is the most likely cause of her symptoms? How would you determine the viral cause of this disease without doing a viral culture?

Answer:

Try to consider Herpes Simplex Virus in this newborn female case, and it has happened due to vertical transmission from the mother to the newborn most likely. You can also think about the Varicella Zoster infection However, you also need to consider some other diagnoses before you jump in with both feet.

You try to collect the venous blood from the infant and look for the raised inflammatory markers such as CRP. And also by taking WCC (see for lymphocytosis).

As a most sensitive and specific method go for the detection of anti-virus antibodies detectable in the blood through serological tests.