Immunopathology: mixed connective tissue disease: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Immunopathology: mixed connective tissue disease

Sample item

A 38-year-old woman has Raynaud phenomenon, puffy fingers, inflammatory arthritis and proximal myositis, with features overlapping lupus and scleroderma but no severe renal disease. Which antibody is typically present in high titre?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein

Mixed connective tissue disease combines features of lupus, systemic sclerosis and polymyositis and is defined by high-titre antibodies to U1 RNP. Renal involvement is typically mild. Pulmonary hypertension is the major cause of death.

Option by option

  • A. Anti-Smith

    Anti-Smith is highly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus.

  • B. Anti-Jo-1

    Anti-Jo-1 is associated with the antisynthetase syndrome of myositis and interstitial lung disease.

  • C. Anti-Scl-70

    Anti-Scl-70 (topoisomerase I) is associated with diffuse systemic sclerosis.

  • D. Anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (correct)

    Correct. High-titre anti-U1 RNP defines mixed connective tissue disease.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, Anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein. Mixed connective tissue disease combines features of lupus, systemic sclerosis and polymyositis and is defined by high-titre antibodies to U1 RNP.

Why is "Anti-Smith" not the answer?

Anti-Smith is highly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Why is "Anti-Jo-1" not the answer?

Anti-Jo-1 is associated with the antisynthetase syndrome of myositis and interstitial lung disease.

Why is "Anti-Scl-70" not the answer?

Anti-Scl-70 (topoisomerase I) is associated with diffuse systemic sclerosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunopathology: mixed connective tissue disease in Pathology. Renal involvement is typically mild. Pulmonary hypertension is the major cause of death.

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 Immunopathology: mixed connective tissue disease?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.