Infestations: larva currens: 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: larva currens

Sample item

A patient with chronic strongyloidiasis has rapidly migrating, linear urticarial tracks over the buttocks that move several centimetres per hour. What is the best treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ivermectin

Larva currens is the cutaneous sign of Strongyloides stercoralis autoinfection and moves very rapidly compared with cutaneous larva migrans. Ivermectin is the drug of choice, and corticosteroids must be avoided because they can trigger hyperinfection.

Option by option

  • A. Griseofulvin

    Griseofulvin treats fungal infections.

  • B. Ivermectin (correct)

    Correct. Ivermectin treats strongyloidiasis.

  • C. Permethrin

    Permethrin treats ectoparasites like scabies.

  • D. Penicillin

    Penicillin is an antibacterial.

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 B, Ivermectin. Larva currens is the cutaneous sign of Strongyloides stercoralis autoinfection and moves very rapidly compared with cutaneous larva migrans.

Why is "Griseofulvin" not the answer?

Griseofulvin treats fungal infections.

Why is "Permethrin" not the answer?

Permethrin treats ectoparasites like scabies.

Why is "Penicillin" not the answer?

Penicillin is an antibacterial.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infestations: larva currens in Dermatology. Ivermectin is the drug of choice, and corticosteroids must be avoided because they can trigger hyperinfection.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: larva currens?

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.