Leprosy: histoid leprosy: 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 · Leprosy: histoid leprosy

Sample item

A patient on dapsone monotherapy for years develops firm, shiny, cutaneous nodules and the biopsy shows spindle-shaped histiocytes teeming with bacilli. What is this variant called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Histoid leprosy

Histoid leprosy is a lepromatous variant with spindle cell nodules and a very high bacillary index, and is associated with secondary dapsone resistance or relapse. Multidrug therapy is required.

Option by option

  • A. Histoid leprosy (correct)

    Correct. Spindle-cell nodules with abundant bacilli define histoid disease.

  • B. Pure neuritic leprosy

    Pure neuritic leprosy has nerve involvement without skin lesions.

  • C. Lucio leprosy

    Lucio leprosy is diffuse infiltration with necrotising vasculitis.

  • D. Indeterminate leprosy

    Indeterminate leprosy has a single early macule.

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 A, Histoid leprosy. Histoid leprosy is a lepromatous variant with spindle cell nodules and a very high bacillary index, and is associated with secondary dapsone resistance or relapse.

Why is "Pure neuritic leprosy" not the answer?

Pure neuritic leprosy has nerve involvement without skin lesions.

Why is "Lucio leprosy" not the answer?

Lucio leprosy is diffuse infiltration with necrotising vasculitis.

Why is "Indeterminate leprosy" not the answer?

Indeterminate leprosy has a single early macule.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: histoid leprosy in Dermatology. Multidrug therapy is required.

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 Leprosy: histoid leprosy?

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.