Virology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 17-year-old boy presents with fever (38.9°C), pharyngitis, and posterior cervical lymphadenopathy. Vital signs show HR 102 bpm, BP 118/76 mmHg, RR 18/min, SpO2 98% on room air. Heterophile antibody testing is positive. Complete blood count reveals atypical lymphocytosis. Abdominal examination reveals no hepatosplenomegaly. He denies taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Which host cells are the primary target of the virus responsible for his illness?
Answer choices
- ARespiratory epithelial cells that express ICAM 1
- BB lymphocytes that express CD21Correct answer
- CErythroid precursors that express P antigen
- DHepatocytes that express HBsAg
- ENeurons in dorsal root ganglia
- FCD4+ T helper lymphocytes that express CXCR4
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