Skin tumours: Kaposi sarcoma: 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 · Skin tumours: Kaposi sarcoma

Sample item

A man with HIV has violaceous plaques on the legs and palate. Biopsy shows spindle cells forming slit-like vascular spaces with extravasated red cells. Which virus is the cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Human herpesvirus 8

Kaposi sarcoma is caused by HHV-8 (KSHV), and the LANA-1 antigen is demonstrated in tumour cells. In AIDS patients, antiretroviral therapy often causes regression.

Option by option

  • A. Human herpesvirus 6

    HHV-6 causes roseola.

  • B. Human papillomavirus 16

    HPV 16 causes anogenital squamous neoplasia.

  • C. Human herpesvirus 8 (correct)

    Correct. HHV-8 is the causative agent.

  • D. Epstein-Barr virus

    EBV causes mononucleosis and Burkitt 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, Human herpesvirus 8. Kaposi sarcoma is caused by HHV-8 (KSHV), and the LANA-1 antigen is demonstrated in tumour cells.

Why is "Human herpesvirus 6" not the answer?

HHV-6 causes roseola.

Why is "Human papillomavirus 16" not the answer?

HPV 16 causes anogenital squamous neoplasia.

Why is "Epstein-Barr virus" not the answer?

EBV causes mononucleosis and Burkitt lymphoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: Kaposi sarcoma in Dermatology. In AIDS patients, antiretroviral therapy often causes regression.

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 Skin tumours: Kaposi sarcoma?

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.