Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: actinomycetoma treatment: 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 · Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: actinomycetoma treatment

Sample item

A farmer has a swollen foot with multiple sinuses discharging red grains. Microscopy shows thin branching filaments that are Gram positive and modified acid-fast, and fungal culture is negative. Which regimen is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Co-trimoxazole with amikacin

Actinomycetoma is caused by filamentous bacteria such as Nocardia and Actinomadura, so treatment is with antibacterial combinations such as co-trimoxazole with amikacin. Eumycetoma is fungal and needs prolonged azole therapy and often surgery.

Option by option

  • A. Griseofulvin

    Griseofulvin acts on dermatophytes and has no antibacterial effect.

  • B. Co-trimoxazole with amikacin (correct)

    Correct. Bacterial grains need antibacterials such as co-trimoxazole with amikacin.

  • C. Terbinafine alone

    Terbinafine is an antifungal and is ineffective against Nocardia.

  • D. Itraconazole alone

    Itraconazole acts on fungi and suits eumycetoma, not a bacterial filamentous infection.

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 B, Co-trimoxazole with amikacin. Actinomycetoma is caused by filamentous bacteria such as Nocardia and Actinomadura, so treatment is with antibacterial combinations such as co-trimoxazole with amikacin.

Why is "Griseofulvin" not the answer?

Griseofulvin acts on dermatophytes and has no antibacterial effect.

Why is "Terbinafine alone" not the answer?

Terbinafine is an antifungal and is ineffective against Nocardia.

Why is "Itraconazole alone" not the answer?

Itraconazole acts on fungi and suits eumycetoma, not a bacterial filamentous infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: actinomycetoma treatment in Dermatology. Eumycetoma is fungal and needs prolonged azole therapy and often surgery.

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 Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: actinomycetoma treatment?

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.