HIV: oral hairy leukoplakia: 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 · HIV: oral hairy leukoplakia

Sample item

An HIV positive patient has white corrugated plaques on the lateral border of the tongue that cannot be scraped off. Which virus is implicated?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Epstein-Barr virus

Oral hairy leukoplakia is caused by EBV replication in tongue epithelium, usually with CD4 counts under 300 to 500, and indicates progression of HIV. It does not scrape off, unlike candidiasis.

Option by option

  • A. Epstein-Barr virus (correct)

    Correct. EBV causes oral hairy leukoplakia.

  • B. Candida albicans

    Candida plaques scrape off, leaving erythema.

  • C. Cytomegalovirus

    CMV causes ulcers in advanced disease.

  • D. Human papillomavirus 16

    HPV causes warts and papillomas.

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 A, Epstein-Barr virus. Oral hairy leukoplakia is caused by EBV replication in tongue epithelium, usually with CD4 counts under 300 to 500, and indicates progression of HIV.

Why is "Candida albicans" not the answer?

Candida plaques scrape off, leaving erythema.

Why is "Cytomegalovirus" not the answer?

CMV causes ulcers in advanced disease.

Why is "Human papillomavirus 16" not the answer?

HPV causes warts and papillomas.

What concept does this question test?

It tests HIV: oral hairy leukoplakia in Dermatology. It does not scrape off, unlike candidiasis.

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 HIV: oral hairy leukoplakia?

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.