Which statement best contrasts latent infection with persistent infection?

• A. Latent infection involves active multiplication; persistent does not
• B. Latent infection involves no active multiplication; persistent involves ongoing low-grade multiplication
• C. Latent infection is always symptomatic; persistent infection is always asymptomatic
• D. Latent infection is a vehicle; persistent infection is a vector

Answer: (B)

The central idea here is how replication activity differs between latent and persistent infections. In latent infection, the pathogen is present but not actively multiplying—it's essentially dormant, often with no symptoms and no ongoing production of new virus. In persistent (or chronic) infection, the pathogen is not cleared and continues to replicate at a low level over a long time, leading to ongoing viral presence and antigen exposure. This makes the statement describing latent infection as having no active multiplication and persistent infection as involving ongoing low-grade multiplication the best fit. The other options mischaracterize replication, symptoms, or transmission roles, which doesn’t align with how latency and persistence are defined.