Dermatitis: atopic dermatitis pathogenesis: 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 · Dermatitis: atopic dermatitis pathogenesis

Sample item

A child has chronic itchy flexural eczema, dry skin, asthma and a family history of atopy. Loss-of-function mutations in which gene are strongly associated?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Filaggrin

Filaggrin mutations impair the skin barrier, increase transepidermal water loss and predispose to atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis vulgaris. Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13 drive the inflammation.

Option by option

  • A. Keratin 5

    Keratin 5 mutations cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

  • B. Filaggrin (correct)

    Correct. Filaggrin deficiency weakens the barrier.

  • C. Collagen VII

    Collagen VII mutations cause dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

  • D. Desmoglein 1

    Desmoglein 1 is the target in pemphigus foliaceus.

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, Filaggrin. Filaggrin mutations impair the skin barrier, increase transepidermal water loss and predispose to atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis vulgaris.

Why is "Keratin 5" not the answer?

Keratin 5 mutations cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Why is "Collagen VII" not the answer?

Collagen VII mutations cause dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Why is "Desmoglein 1" not the answer?

Desmoglein 1 is the target in pemphigus foliaceus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dermatitis: atopic dermatitis pathogenesis in Dermatology. Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13 drive the inflammation.

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 Dermatitis: atopic dermatitis pathogenesis?

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.