Palivizumab is given monthly during the respiratory syncytial virus season to infants at high risk of severe disease. Its target antigen is:

• A The F fusion glycoprotein ✓
• B The G attachment glycoprotein
• C The nucleocapsid N protein
• D The SH small hydrophobic protein

Explanation

Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against an epitope on the F (fusion) glycoprotein of RSV, blocking membrane fusion and cell-to-cell spread. It is prophylactic, not therapeutic, and does not affect established infection. The G glycoprotein mediates attachment and shows greater antigenic variability between strains, making it a less stable vaccine or antibody target, which is the fact that eliminates distractor B. Nirsevimab is a newer extended-half-life anti-F antibody.

Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 22nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.