Questions
BK virus: Questions
Study questions about BK virus: multiple-choice, clinical scenarios, short-answer and exam-style.
Mock Exam mode
Sit this set one question at a time. Multiple-choice questions mark themselves; written questions reveal a tickable mark scheme so you can score your own answer. You get a combined score at the end.
1 questions: 1 MCQ, 0 written.
- MCQ
BK virus is directed to the urinary tract rather than the brain because it:
- A. Uses the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor on glial cells
- B. Requires the CD4 receptor on lymphocytes
- C. Replicates only at the low temperature of the skin
- D. Integrates exclusively into hepatocyte DNA
- E. Binds gangliosides on renal and urothelial cells
Show answer
Correct answer: E
Why E
BK virus attaches to branched gangliosides (GT1b and GD1b) displayed on renal tubular epithelium and urothelium and enters by caveolin-dependent endocytosis, which directs it to the urinary tract. JC virus, by contrast, uses a sialylated glycan with the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor and a clathrin route into glial cells, which is why it targets the brain. The other options describe unrelated viruses.