Vaccinia virus is a related virus used in which vaccine?

Prepare for the NBME Form 11 Test with targeted flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to aid learning. Boost your readiness for exam day!

Multiple Choice

Vaccinia virus is a related virus used in which vaccine?

Explanation:
Vaccinia virus is used in the smallpox vaccine because it’s a related poxvirus that triggers immune responses cross-protective against variola, the smallpox virus. As a live vaccine, vaccinia replicates in the skin and generates both antibody and T-cell responses that recognize shared antigens with variola, providing immunity to smallpox. The other diseases listed are prevented by vaccines targeting their specific pathogens (measles by a measles virus vaccine, influenza by influenza vaccines, polio by poliovirus vaccines), not by vaccinia.

Vaccinia virus is used in the smallpox vaccine because it’s a related poxvirus that triggers immune responses cross-protective against variola, the smallpox virus. As a live vaccine, vaccinia replicates in the skin and generates both antibody and T-cell responses that recognize shared antigens with variola, providing immunity to smallpox. The other diseases listed are prevented by vaccines targeting their specific pathogens (measles by a measles virus vaccine, influenza by influenza vaccines, polio by poliovirus vaccines), not by vaccinia.

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