Leprosy: bacteriological index: 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: bacteriological index

Sample item

On the Ridley logarithmic scale, a bacteriological index of 6+ corresponds to how many bacilli per oil immersion field?

A1 to 10BMore than 1000C10 to 100D100 to 1000

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. More than 1000

The bacteriological index counts bacilli in slit skin smears on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 6+, where 6+ means over 1000 bacilli per oil immersion field. The average of several sites gives the patient's BI.

Option by option

A. 1 to 10
1 to 10 per field is 3+.
B. More than 1000 (correct)
Correct. 6+ is more than 1000 bacilli per field.
C. 10 to 100
10 to 100 per field is 4+.
D. 100 to 1000
100 to 1000 per field is 5+.

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.

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is B, More than 1000. The bacteriological index counts bacilli in slit skin smears on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 6+, where 6+ means over 1000 bacilli per oil immersion field.

Why is "1 to 10" not the answer?

1 to 10 per field is 3+.

Why is "10 to 100" not the answer?

10 to 100 per field is 4+.

Why is "100 to 1000" not the answer?

100 to 1000 per field is 5+.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: bacteriological index in Dermatology. The average of several sites gives the patient's BI.

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 Leprosy: bacteriological index?

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.