Leprosy: Mycobacterium lepromatosis: 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: Mycobacterium lepromatosis

Sample item

Which organism, described in 2008, has been implicated in diffuse lepromatous leprosy with Lucio phenomenon?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Mycobacterium lepromatosis

Mycobacterium lepromatosis is a second leprosy-causing species identified in patients from Mexico with diffuse lepromatous leprosy. It cannot be cultured and is identified by molecular methods.

Option by option

  • A. Mycobacterium avium complex

    MAC causes disseminated disease in advanced HIV.

  • B. Mycobacterium kansasii

    M. kansasii causes pulmonary disease similar to tuberculosis.

  • C. Mycobacterium ulcerans

    M. ulcerans causes Buruli ulcer.

  • D. Mycobacterium lepromatosis (correct)

    Correct. M. lepromatosis causes some diffuse leprosy.

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, Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Mycobacterium lepromatosis is a second leprosy-causing species identified in patients from Mexico with diffuse lepromatous leprosy.

Why is "Mycobacterium avium complex" not the answer?

MAC causes disseminated disease in advanced HIV.

Why is "Mycobacterium kansasii" not the answer?

M. kansasii causes pulmonary disease similar to tuberculosis.

Why is "Mycobacterium ulcerans" not the answer?

M. ulcerans causes Buruli ulcer.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: Mycobacterium lepromatosis in Dermatology. It cannot be cultured and is identified by molecular methods.

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: Mycobacterium lepromatosis?

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.