Histopathological diagram of lesion showing characteristic intracytoplasmic viral inclusion bodies of which virus?
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the ability to identify a specific viral infection based on characteristic histopathological features. The correct answer requires knowledge of viral inclusion bodies and their association with various viral infections.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is associated with the presence of intracytoplasmic viral inclusion bodies known as Negri bodies. These inclusion bodies are a hallmark of rabies virus infection, which affects the central nervous system. The rabies virus replicates within the cytoplasm of neurons, leading to the formation of Negri bodies, which are pathognomonic for the disease.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect as it is associated with CMV (Cytomegalovirus) infection, which is characterized by large, intranuclear inclusion bodies called owl's eye inclusions, not intracytoplasmic viral inclusion bodies.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect as it is associated with HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) infection, which is characterized by intranuclear inclusion bodies, not intracytoplasmic viral inclusion bodies.
**Option D:** This option is incorrect as it is associated with HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection, which is characterized by koilocytic atypia and nuclear changes, not intracytoplasmic viral inclusion bodies.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Rabies virus is a zoonotic virus that primarily affects the central nervous system, and Negri bodies are a key diagnostic feature. The presence of Negri bodies in the brain tissue is a definitive diagnosis of rabies.
**Correct Answer:** A. Rabies virus.