Which virus causes chickenpox and can remain latent in dorsal root ganglia?

Prepare for your Microbial Growth Phases, Oxygen Needs, and Immunity Types Test. Use our multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations for each answer to enhance your understanding and ensure success!

Multiple Choice

Which virus causes chickenpox and can remain latent in dorsal root ganglia?

Explanation:
Varicella zoster virus is the herpesvirus responsible for chickenpox. After the initial infection, it becomes latent in the dorsal root ganglia of sensory nerves, where it can persist for life and may reactivate later in life as herpes zoster (shingles) along a dermatomal distribution. The other viruses listed don’t fit because cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus establish latency in different cell types (such as monocytes or B cells) and are not the agents of chickenpox, while herpes simplex virus also hides in sensory ganglia but is linked to recurrent oral or genital lesions rather than the primary varicella infection.

Varicella zoster virus is the herpesvirus responsible for chickenpox. After the initial infection, it becomes latent in the dorsal root ganglia of sensory nerves, where it can persist for life and may reactivate later in life as herpes zoster (shingles) along a dermatomal distribution. The other viruses listed don’t fit because cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus establish latency in different cell types (such as monocytes or B cells) and are not the agents of chickenpox, while herpes simplex virus also hides in sensory ganglia but is linked to recurrent oral or genital lesions rather than the primary varicella infection.

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