Oncogenic virus is:
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the student's knowledge of viruses that have the potential to cause cancer. Oncogenic viruses are a group of viruses that can cause cancer in humans. These viruses can integrate into the host genome or cause chronic inflammation, leading to cancer development.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is a member of the herpesvirus family and is known to cause infectious mononucleosis. However, it is also associated with several types of cancer, including Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. EBV can integrate into the host genome and disrupt the normal functioning of the cell, leading to cancer development.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an oncogenic virus, but it is not the correct answer. HIV is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and increases the risk of various cancers, including Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, it is not directly associated with cancer development like EBV.
* **Option B:** Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the herpesvirus family and can cause congenital abnormalities and birth defects. However, it is not directly associated with cancer development like EBV.
* **Option C:** Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an oncogenic virus that is known to cause cervical cancer and other anogenital cancers. However, it is not the correct answer because the question asks for a virus that is associated with a wide range of cancers, including Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The EBV-associated cancers, such as Burkitt's lymphoma, often have a characteristic "starry sky" appearance on histopathology due to the presence of tingible body macrophages.
**Correct Answer: B. Epstein-Barr virus.**