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MCQ – 87791

amit18289

Question

A 45-year-old man with colon cancer is treated with chemotherapy. Two months later, he develops increasing cough and respiratory distress. A chest X-ray shows diffuse bilateral interstitial infiltrates. Sputum cultures are negative, and the patient does not respond to antibiotic therapy. A lung biopsy reveals acute and chronic interstitial pneumonitis. There are enlarged cells with prominent, dark-blue nuclear inclusions as shown in the image). Which of the following is most likely responsible for this patient’s pulmonary condition?

A.

Cytomegalovirus
B. Herpes simplex virus
C.

Epstein-Barr virus
D.

Pneumocystis jiroveci
Show Answer

Correct Answer � A

Explanation

Answer: A Cytomegalovirus

  • CMV infection induces interstitial pneumonia in infants and immunocompromised persons.

  • Infected alveolar cells show cytomegaly and display a single, dark basophilic nuclear inclusion surrounded by a halo. 

  • The virus may be transmitted from mother to child in utero or acquired during delivery. 

  • In adults, CMV is transmitted through sexual encounters, blood transfusions,transplantation, and even through the inhalation of infectious viral particles. 

  • Central nervous symptoms predominate in symptomatic infants and children.

  • In adults, the virus produces mostly respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms but does not cause encephalitis. Herpes simplex virus  also features intranuclear inclusions (also surrounded by a clear halo) but does not cause chronic interstitial pneumonia.

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