STI: koilocytes in condyloma: 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 · STI: koilocytes in condyloma

Sample item

A biopsy of a cauliflower-like perianal growth shows acanthosis, papillomatosis and keratinocytes with perinuclear clearing and wrinkled, hyperchromatic nuclei. What are these cells called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Koilocytes

Koilocytes are HPV-infected keratinocytes with a perinuclear halo and irregular raisin-like nuclei, and they are the hallmark of anogenital warts. Tzanck cells are acantholytic cells in pemphigus.

Option by option

  • A. Tzanck cells

    Tzanck cells are rounded acantholytic keratinocytes seen in pemphigus and herpes smears.

  • B. Clue cells

    Clue cells are vaginal epithelial cells coated with bacteria in bacterial vaginosis.

  • C. Koilocytes (correct)

    Correct. Perinuclear halo with wrinkled nuclei defines the koilocyte.

  • D. Reed-Sternberg cells

    Reed-Sternberg cells are binucleate cells of Hodgkin lymphoma.

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.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Koilocytes. Koilocytes are HPV-infected keratinocytes with a perinuclear halo and irregular raisin-like nuclei, and they are the hallmark of anogenital warts.

Why is "Tzanck cells" not the answer?

Tzanck cells are rounded acantholytic keratinocytes seen in pemphigus and herpes smears.

Why is "Clue cells" not the answer?

Clue cells are vaginal epithelial cells coated with bacteria in bacterial vaginosis.

Why is "Reed-Sternberg cells" not the answer?

Reed-Sternberg cells are binucleate cells of Hodgkin lymphoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: koilocytes in condyloma in Dermatology. Tzanck cells are acantholytic cells in pemphigus.

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 STI: koilocytes in condyloma?

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.