Mycology: tinea capitis treatment: practice question

A Microbiology 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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Microbiology · Mycology: tinea capitis treatment

Sample item

A 6-year-old has scaly, itchy patches of hair loss on the scalp, and scrapings grow Microsporum canis. Which oral drug is traditionally preferred for this organism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Griseofulvin

Tinea capitis needs oral therapy, since topical agents do not penetrate the hair follicle, and griseofulvin is effective against Microsporum. Terbinafine works better for Trichophyton. Amphotericin B and flucytosine are for systemic fungal disease.

Option by option

  • A. Griseofulvin (correct)

    Correct. Griseofulvin is the usual oral drug for Microsporum scalp infection.

  • B. Flucytosine

    Flucytosine is used with amphotericin B in cryptococcal infection.

  • C. Fluconazole

    Fluconazole is not the standard first choice for dermatophyte scalp infection.

  • D. Amphotericin B

    Amphotericin B is for invasive fungal disease.

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 Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Griseofulvin. Tinea capitis needs oral therapy, since topical agents do not penetrate the hair follicle, and griseofulvin is effective against Microsporum.

Why is "Flucytosine" not the answer?

Flucytosine is used with amphotericin B in cryptococcal infection.

Why is "Fluconazole" not the answer?

Fluconazole is not the standard first choice for dermatophyte scalp infection.

Why is "Amphotericin B" not the answer?

Amphotericin B is for invasive fungal disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology: tinea capitis treatment in Microbiology. Terbinafine works better for Trichophyton. Amphotericin B and flucytosine are for systemic fungal disease.

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 Mycology: tinea capitis treatment?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology 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.