Infestations: pediculosis corporis: 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Infestations: pediculosis corporis

Sample item

A homeless man has itchy excoriated lesions on the back and waist with lice found in the seams of his clothes. Which serious infection can this louse transmit?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Epidemic typhus

Pediculus humanus corporis lives in clothing seams and transmits Rickettsia prowazekii (epidemic typhus), Bartonella quintana (trench fever) and Borrelia recurrentis (relapsing fever). Treatment is by laundering clothes and disinfestation.

Option by option

  • A. Kala-azar

    Kala-azar is carried by sandflies.

  • B. Murine typhus

    Murine typhus is carried by rat fleas.

  • C. Scrub typhus

    Scrub typhus is carried by chigger mites.

  • D. Epidemic typhus (correct)

    Correct. Body lice are the vector of epidemic typhus.

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 D, Epidemic typhus. Pediculus humanus corporis lives in clothing seams and transmits Rickettsia prowazekii (epidemic typhus), Bartonella quintana (trench fever) and Borrelia recurrentis (relapsing fever).

Why is "Kala-azar" not the answer?

Kala-azar is carried by sandflies.

Why is "Murine typhus" not the answer?

Murine typhus is carried by rat fleas.

Why is "Scrub typhus" not the answer?

Scrub typhus is carried by chigger mites.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infestations: pediculosis corporis in Dermatology. Treatment is by laundering clothes and disinfestation.

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 Infestations: pediculosis corporis?

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.