Researchers studying a wild chimpanzee population discover a novel papillomavirus that can integrate its DNA into the genome of infected cells. Under which circumstance could this viral DNA be passed on to the next generation?

A marine biologist collects a litre of seawater containing ~10 billion prokaryotic cells. Approximately how many viruses would they expect to find in this seawater sample?

During the virion phase of a viral life cycle, which of the following statements is correct? (select all that apply)

A virologist isolates a novel virus from bat saliva during a wildlife disease survey. The virus is examined in the laboratory to characterise its key features.

Which of the following features will likely apply to this virus? (select all that apply)

The diphtheria vaccine protects against disease even though it does not prevent colonisation by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

What component of the bacterium is targeted by this vaccine?

A patient with a bloodstream infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis develops fever, hypotension, and signs of septic shock. No bacterial toxins were detected in circulation, but bacterial components were found to strongly stimulate cytokine release. Which of the following best explains the pathogenesis of this condition?

A pathogenic Escherichia coli strain causes urinary tract infections. It secretes small molecules that chelate iron with high specificity and then uses dedicated receptors to import the iron–molecule complex.

Which iron acquisition strategy is being used?

A vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae targets capsule polysaccharide antigens. However, infections continue to occur due to the existence of multiple strains with structurally distinct capsules.

Which immune evasion strategy best explains this observation?

Listeria monocytogenes is phagocytosed by host epithelial cells but escapes the phagosome into the cytosol, where it replicates and spreads cell-to-cell using host actin.

What is the primary advantage of this intracellular lifestyle?

A Neisseria meningitidis isolate expresses a polysialic acid capsule that is structurally identical to molecules found on human neural tissue. 

Which immune evasion strategy does this capsule primarily support?