Virology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 72-year-old man with a 15-year history of COPD presents to the emergency department with a 3-day history of dyspnea, fever (38.9°C), and productive cough with purulent sputum. He reports malaise and myalgias but denies sore throat or conjunctivitis. Chest X-ray reveals consolidation in the right lower lobe. Rapid molecular testing for influenza A and B is negative. Procalcitonin is mildly elevated at 0.8 ng/mL. Which of the following viruses is the most likely causative agent of this community-acquired pneumonia?
Answer choices
- AAdenovirus (types 40-41)
- BParainfluenza virus
- CRhinovirusCorrect answer
- DRespiratory syncytial virus
- ECoronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
- FEnterovirus
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