2 month old female infant is admitted to the hospital because of temperature of 38.9C(102F) vomiting , diarrhea, and dehydration. Examination of a stool suspension by negative stain election microscopy shows viral particles with a wheel-like shape

According to the description of the symptoms and the virus observed in the microscope, the characteristics of the virus are double stranded RNA, segmented, without envelope an icosahedral symmetry, corresponding to a Rotavirus.

Explanation:

The correct question is:

Which of the following best describes the physical and chemical properties of the virus involved?

   Type of nucleic acid | Envelope | Capsid symmetry

a. Double stranded RNA, linear | NO | Helical .

b. Double stranded RNA, segmented | NO | icosahedral .

c. Single stranded rna, linear | NO | icosahedral.

d. Single stranded rna, linear | YES | helical.

e. Single stranded rna, segmented | NO | icosahedral.

f.  Single stranded rna, segmented | YES| helical.

Rotaviruses are RNA viruses capable of producing viral gastroenteritis in very young children, less than 5 years old. The viral RNA in Rotavirus is stranded and segmented, without envelope and with an icosahedral symmetry, which gives it the appearance of a "wheel".

The symptoms produced by this RNA virus are severe diarrhea, which leads to rapid dehydration, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever, such as the symptoms described in the clinical case baby.

Learn more:

Rotavirus infection link