Oral cavity: oral hairy leukoplakia: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Oral cavity: oral hairy leukoplakia

Sample item

A patient with HIV has a white corrugated lesion on the lateral border of the tongue that cannot be scraped off. Which virus is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Epstein-Barr virus

Oral hairy leukoplakia is an EBV-related lesion of the lateral tongue in immunosuppressed patients, and signals poor immune status. It does not carry the usual malignant potential of leukoplakia. Treatment is rarely needed, but antivirals can clear it.

Option by option

  • A. Epstein-Barr virus (correct)

    Correct. EBV replicates in the lesion.

  • B. Herpes simplex virus

    HSV causes vesicles and ulcers.

  • C. Cytomegalovirus

    CMV causes ulcers in advanced AIDS.

  • D. Human papillomavirus 16

    HPV 16 is linked to oropharyngeal carcinoma.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Epstein-Barr virus. Oral hairy leukoplakia is an EBV-related lesion of the lateral tongue in immunosuppressed patients, and signals poor immune status.

Why is "Herpes simplex virus" not the answer?

HSV causes vesicles and ulcers.

Why is "Cytomegalovirus" not the answer?

CMV causes ulcers in advanced AIDS.

Why is "Human papillomavirus 16" not the answer?

HPV 16 is linked to oropharyngeal carcinoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral cavity: oral hairy leukoplakia in ENT. It does not carry the usual malignant potential of leukoplakia. Treatment is rarely needed, but antivirals can clear it.

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 Oral cavity: oral hairy leukoplakia?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.