Drug reactions: allopurinol hypersensitivity: 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 · Drug reactions: allopurinol hypersensitivity

Sample item

Which HLA allele is linked to severe cutaneous reactions with allopurinol, especially in Han Chinese, Thai and Korean patients with renal impairment?

AHLA-B*57:01BHLA-B*15:02CHLA-A*31:01DHLA-B*58:01

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. HLA-B*58:01

HLA-B*58:01 carriage increases the risk of allopurinol-induced SJS/TEN and DRESS. Starting at a low dose and slow titration also reduces risk, particularly in renal impairment.

Option by option

A. HLA-B*57:01
HLA-B*57:01 is linked to abacavir.
B. HLA-B*15:02
HLA-B*15:02 is linked to carbamazepine.
C. HLA-A*31:01
HLA-A*31:01 is linked to carbamazepine hypersensitivity in Europeans.
D. HLA-B*58:01 (correct)
Correct. HLA-B*58:01 is the allopurinol marker.

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 D, HLA-B*58:01. HLA-B*58:01 carriage increases the risk of allopurinol-induced SJS/TEN and DRESS.

Why is "HLA-B*57:01" not the answer?

HLA-B*57:01 is linked to abacavir.

Why is "HLA-B*15:02" not the answer?

HLA-B*15:02 is linked to carbamazepine.

Why is "HLA-A*31:01" not the answer?

HLA-A*31:01 is linked to carbamazepine hypersensitivity in Europeans.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drug reactions: allopurinol hypersensitivity in Dermatology. Starting at a low dose and slow titration also reduces risk, particularly in renal impairment.

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 Drug reactions: allopurinol hypersensitivity?

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.