Which virus is a double-stranded DNA virus with an envelope and causes painful vesicles and shows intranuclear inclusions in infected cells?

Which virus is a double-stranded DNA virus with an envelope and causes painful vesicles and shows intranuclear inclusions in infected cells?

• A. Adenovirus
• B. Varicella-zoster virus
• C. Parvovirus B19
• D. Herpes simplex virus

Answer: (D)

Herpesviruses are enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the cell nucleus and often show intranuclear inclusions in infected cells. The clue here is painful vesicular lesions, which is a hallmark of herpes infections on mucocutaneous surfaces. Infected cells also display intranuclear inclusion bodies due to viral replication in the nucleus. Among the options, herpes simplex virus best fits these features: it is an enveloped dsDNA virus that causes painful vesicles on lips or genitals, and histology commonly reveals intranuclear inclusion bodies. Varicella-zoster virus is also an enveloped dsDNA herpesvirus with vesicular disease and nuclear inclusions, but the classic presentation of painful mucocutaneous lesions in this context most directly points to herpes simplex virus.

Herpesviruses are enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the cell nucleus and often show intranuclear inclusions in infected cells. The clue here is painful vesicular lesions, which is a hallmark of herpes infections on mucocutaneous surfaces. Infected cells also display intranuclear inclusion bodies due to viral replication in the nucleus.

Among the options, herpes simplex virus best fits these features: it is an enveloped dsDNA virus that causes painful vesicles on lips or genitals, and histology commonly reveals intranuclear inclusion bodies. Varicella-zoster virus is also an enveloped dsDNA herpesvirus with vesicular disease and nuclear inclusions, but the classic presentation of painful mucocutaneous lesions in this context most directly points to herpes simplex virus.