UAMS IMMUNOLOGY EXAM 5 REVIEW
DNA AND RNA VIRUSES QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATED
2026/2027
What primary viral family / classification do Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) and Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) belong to?
✔✔ Retroviruses (RNA viruses that replicate via a DNA intermediate using the
enzyme reverse transcriptase).
What type of genetic material (genome) does Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
possess?
✔✔ RNA virus (specifically a single-stranded RNA virus classified under the
family Picornaviridae).
What type of genetic material (genome) does Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
possess?
✔✔ DNA virus (specifically a partially double-stranded circular DNA virus
classified under Hepadnaviridae).
HEV -ANSWER✔✔RNA virus
Herpes virus -ANSWER✔✔inflammatory virus that reproduces in the cell nucleus
HSV family -ANSWER✔✔Herpesviridae
HSV transmission -ANSWER✔✔direct contact w/ infected person
HSV types -ANSWER✔✔Type 1 and 2
,HSV clinical manifestations -ANSWER✔✔Recurrent vesicular eruptions; neonatal
infections; CNS involvement; Whitlow finger
HSV fever blisters -ANSWER✔✔Type 1
HSV genital infections -ANSWER✔✔Type 2
HSV specimen collection -ANSWER✔✔Skin lesion/mucous membranes; CSF or
brain biopsy
HSV culture CPE -ANSWER✔✔Ballooning cytoplasm
HCV cytology -ANSWER✔✔Multinucleated giant cell; syncytial giant cell
HSV on Tzanck Smear -ANSWER✔✔multinucleated giant acantholytic
keratinocytes
HSV IFA -ANSWER✔✔Skin or mucosa membranes
HSV PCR -ANSWER✔✔diagnosis of CNS infections
HSV serology -ANSWER✔✔Used to determine prior infection; IgG and IgM
levels can be determined
Varicella Zoster Virus -ANSWER✔✔human herpes virus 3
, Varicella -ANSWER✔✔chicken pox
Zoster -ANSWER✔✔shingles
Varicella zoster transmission -ANSWER✔✔Inhalation or contact with lesions
Chicken pox -ANSWER✔✔Highly contagious viral infection, Symptoms are a
body rash and fever. Also known as varicella.
Shingles -ANSWER✔✔viral disease that affects the peripheral nerves and causes
blisters on the skin that follow the course of the affected nerves
Varicella Zoster diagnosis -ANSWER✔✔Usually on clinical grounds
Varicella Zoster cultures -ANSWER✔✔Shell vials recommended
Varicella Zoster direct exam -ANSWER✔✔DFA on skin lesions; Tzanck prep;
NAAT
Varicella Zoster Serology -ANSWER✔✔ELISA to determine immune status
Varicella Zoster prevention -ANSWER✔✔vaccine
Epstein-Barr virus -ANSWER✔✔Human Herpes 4
DNA AND RNA VIRUSES QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATED
2026/2027
What primary viral family / classification do Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) and Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) belong to?
✔✔ Retroviruses (RNA viruses that replicate via a DNA intermediate using the
enzyme reverse transcriptase).
What type of genetic material (genome) does Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
possess?
✔✔ RNA virus (specifically a single-stranded RNA virus classified under the
family Picornaviridae).
What type of genetic material (genome) does Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
possess?
✔✔ DNA virus (specifically a partially double-stranded circular DNA virus
classified under Hepadnaviridae).
HEV -ANSWER✔✔RNA virus
Herpes virus -ANSWER✔✔inflammatory virus that reproduces in the cell nucleus
HSV family -ANSWER✔✔Herpesviridae
HSV transmission -ANSWER✔✔direct contact w/ infected person
HSV types -ANSWER✔✔Type 1 and 2
,HSV clinical manifestations -ANSWER✔✔Recurrent vesicular eruptions; neonatal
infections; CNS involvement; Whitlow finger
HSV fever blisters -ANSWER✔✔Type 1
HSV genital infections -ANSWER✔✔Type 2
HSV specimen collection -ANSWER✔✔Skin lesion/mucous membranes; CSF or
brain biopsy
HSV culture CPE -ANSWER✔✔Ballooning cytoplasm
HCV cytology -ANSWER✔✔Multinucleated giant cell; syncytial giant cell
HSV on Tzanck Smear -ANSWER✔✔multinucleated giant acantholytic
keratinocytes
HSV IFA -ANSWER✔✔Skin or mucosa membranes
HSV PCR -ANSWER✔✔diagnosis of CNS infections
HSV serology -ANSWER✔✔Used to determine prior infection; IgG and IgM
levels can be determined
Varicella Zoster Virus -ANSWER✔✔human herpes virus 3
, Varicella -ANSWER✔✔chicken pox
Zoster -ANSWER✔✔shingles
Varicella zoster transmission -ANSWER✔✔Inhalation or contact with lesions
Chicken pox -ANSWER✔✔Highly contagious viral infection, Symptoms are a
body rash and fever. Also known as varicella.
Shingles -ANSWER✔✔viral disease that affects the peripheral nerves and causes
blisters on the skin that follow the course of the affected nerves
Varicella Zoster diagnosis -ANSWER✔✔Usually on clinical grounds
Varicella Zoster cultures -ANSWER✔✔Shell vials recommended
Varicella Zoster direct exam -ANSWER✔✔DFA on skin lesions; Tzanck prep;
NAAT
Varicella Zoster Serology -ANSWER✔✔ELISA to determine immune status
Varicella Zoster prevention -ANSWER✔✔vaccine
Epstein-Barr virus -ANSWER✔✔Human Herpes 4
