Which microorganism is associated with cervical cancer?

KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Persistent infection with high-risk strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary etiological agent for cervical cancer.
HPV types 16 and 18 are considered high-risk and are responsible for approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases.
The virus's oncogenic potential comes from its E6 and E7 proteins, which inactivate the host cell's tumor suppressor genes, p53 and Rb, respectively.
This inactivation leads to uncontrolled cell proliferation and the eventual transformation of normal cervical cells into malignant ones.

Option B: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a member of the herpesvirus family, is not causally linked to cervical cancer.
Option C: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is a bacterium that causes disseminated opportunistic infections in individuals with severely compromised immune systems, such as late-stage AIDS. It does not cause cervical cancer.
Option D: Pneumocystis carinii, now correctly named Pneumocystis jirovecii, is a fungus. It is a well-known cause of severe pneumonia in immunocompromised patients but has no association with cervical cancer.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Etiology of Cervical Cancer as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nursing practice is pivotal in the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer through patient education and screening.
Nurses are responsible for educating patients about the HPV vaccine (e.g., Gardasil 9), including its recommended schedule and its effectiveness in preventing HPV-related cancers.
A key nursing role involves counseling women on the importance of regular cervical cancer screening (Pap smears and/or HPV testing) according to current guidelines.

How to Approach the Question

Step 1: Analyze the question to identify the core concept. The question asks for the specific microorganism that is associated with 'cervical cancer'.
Step 2: Recognize this as a factual recall question that links a specific disease to its primary causative agent.
Step 3: Systematically evaluate each option by recalling the primary diseases associated with each microorganism.
Step 4: Recall that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the well-established cause of most cervical cancers. This makes it the strongest candidate.
Step 5: Confirm the answer by ruling out the other options. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes congenital disease and mono-like illness. Mycobacterium avium and Pneumocystis carinii are opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised hosts, causing disseminated disease and pneumonia, respectively. None are linked to cervical cancer.
Step 6: Conclude that Human papillomavirus is the only correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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