Leprosy: endocrine involvement in lepromatous disease: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Leprosy: endocrine involvement in lepromatous disease

Sample item

A man with long-standing lepromatous leprosy has small soft testes, reduced libido and gynaecomastia. What explains this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Bacillary invasion causing orchitis and testicular atrophy

Lepromatous leprosy often involves the testes, as cooler body sites are favoured. Chronic orchitis and ENL cause atrophy with low testosterone, infertility and gynaecomastia. Endocrine and fertility assessment is part of long-term care.

Option by option

  • A. Dapsone-induced adrenal failure

    Dapsone does not cause adrenal failure.

  • B. Direct damage to the pituitary only

    The pituitary is not the usual site.

  • C. Bacillary invasion causing orchitis and testicular atrophy (correct)

    Correct. Testicular involvement explains hypogonadism and gynaecomastia.

  • D. Autoimmune thyroiditis

    Thyroiditis does not explain these features.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Bacillary invasion causing orchitis and testicular atrophy. Lepromatous leprosy often involves the testes, as cooler body sites are favoured.

Why is "Dapsone-induced adrenal failure" not the answer?

Dapsone does not cause adrenal failure.

Why is "Direct damage to the pituitary only" not the answer?

The pituitary is not the usual site.

Why is "Autoimmune thyroiditis" not the answer?

Thyroiditis does not explain these features.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: endocrine involvement in lepromatous disease in Dermatology. Chronic orchitis and ENL cause atrophy with low testosterone, infertility and gynaecomastia. Endocrine and fertility assessment is part of long-term care.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Leprosy: endocrine involvement in lepromatous disease?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.