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

Sample item

Which feature is typical of tuberculoid leprosy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. A few well-defined anaesthetic patches with thickened nerves

Tuberculoid leprosy shows strong cell-mediated immunity, with one or a few hypopigmented or erythematous, dry, anaesthetic patches with raised edges and thickened peripheral nerves. Smears are negative or show very few bacilli. Lepromatous disease shows many bacilli and symmetrical lesions.

Option by option

  • A. Numerous symmetrical nodules with lepra bacilli in large numbers

    Numerous lesions with many bacilli describe the lepromatous pole.

  • B. A few well-defined anaesthetic patches with thickened nerves (correct)

    Correct. A strong immune response limits disease to a few patches with nerve damage.

  • C. Lucio phenomenon with necrotic ulcers

    Lucio phenomenon occurs in diffuse lepromatous leprosy.

  • D. Diffuse infiltration with a leonine face

    A leonine face is a feature of lepromatous 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 B, A few well-defined anaesthetic patches with thickened nerves. Tuberculoid leprosy shows strong cell-mediated immunity, with one or a few hypopigmented or erythematous, dry, anaesthetic patches with raised edges and thickened peripheral nerves.

Why is "Numerous symmetrical nodules with lepra bacilli in large numbers" not the answer?

Numerous lesions with many bacilli describe the lepromatous pole.

Why is "Lucio phenomenon with necrotic ulcers" not the answer?

Lucio phenomenon occurs in diffuse lepromatous leprosy.

Why is "Diffuse infiltration with a leonine face" not the answer?

A leonine face is a feature of lepromatous leprosy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy in Dermatology. Smears are negative or show very few bacilli. Lepromatous disease shows many bacilli and symmetrical lesions.

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?

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.