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A patient presents at the clinic with an acute viral infection. Assays that analyze the viral life cycle classify the virus into Group V with a segmented genome. Which virus is the most likely diagnosis for the patient?

a) Influenza virus
b) Herpesvirus
c) Retrovirus
d) Rotavirus

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The most likely diagnosis for a patient with a Group V virus having a segmented genome is the Influenza virus. Group V comprises negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, with Influenza being a well-known example with its distinctly segmented genome.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient presents at the clinic with an acute viral infection and assays classify the virus into Group V with a segmented genome. The most likely diagnosis for the patient would be Influenza virus.

Group V viruses, according to the Baltimore classification, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses. The Influenza virus, specifically, has a segmented genome consisting of eight single-stranded, negative-sense RNA segments. This segmented nature allows for the reassortment of genes which contributes to genetic diversity and the emergence of new strains.

The other options listed have different characteristics: Herpesviruses have double-stranded DNA; Retroviruses (like HIV) have positive-sense single-stranded RNA and utilize reverse transcriptase to integrate into the host's DNA; Rotaviruses, while they do have segmented RNA, belong to Group III as they possess a double-stranded RNA genome.

User Tom Elmore
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