Viruses: Life Cycle and Disease · USMLE Step 1

A patient with vesicular rash on the trunk is diagnosed with varicella-zoster virus. Where does VZV establish latency?

  1. Enteric neurons
  2. Dorsal root ganglia
  3. Corticospinal neurons
  4. Retinal ganglion cells
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Correct answer: Dorsal root ganglia

VZV remains latent in dorsal root or trigeminal ganglia. Reactivation causes shingles.

Difficulty: Medium Question 17 of 20

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