Infestations: post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis: 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 · Infestations: post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis

Sample item

A man treated for visceral leishmaniasis 2 years earlier in Bihar now has hypopigmented macules and nodules on the face. Which statement about this condition is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Patients serve as a reservoir for transmission of the parasite

Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis follows treated Leishmania donovani infection and may appear months to years later. Because lesions carry parasites, patients can maintain transmission in the community, and treatment is oral miltefosine for 12 weeks.

Option by option

  • A. It is caused by Leishmania tropica

    It follows L. donovani infection, not L. tropica.

  • B. It resolves in all cases within weeks without treatment

    In India it generally needs treatment.

  • C. It occurs before the visceral disease

    It arises after, not before, visceral leishmaniasis.

  • D. Patients serve as a reservoir for transmission of the parasite (correct)

    Correct. PKDL patients are an important infectious reservoir.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Patients serve as a reservoir for transmission of the parasite. Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis follows treated Leishmania donovani infection and may appear months to years later.

Why is "It is caused by Leishmania tropica" not the answer?

It follows L. donovani infection, not L. tropica.

Why is "It resolves in all cases within weeks without treatment" not the answer?

In India it generally needs treatment.

Why is "It occurs before the visceral disease" not the answer?

It arises after, not before, visceral leishmaniasis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infestations: post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in Dermatology. Because lesions carry parasites, patients can maintain transmission in the community, and treatment is oral miltefosine for 12 weeks.

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: post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis?

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.