Virology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 36 year old man with untreated HIV infection develops progressive visual changes, weakness, and difficulty speaking over several weeks. MRI of the brain shows multiple asymmetric nonenhancing white matter lesions without mass effect. Cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction is positive for JC virus. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer choices
- AToxoplasmosis
- BSubacute sclerosing panencephalitis
- CPrimary CNS lymphoma
- DCreutzfeldt Jakob disease
- EProgressive multifocal leukoencephalopathyCorrect answer
- FCytomegalovirus encephalitis
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.