Inflammation and repair: acute phase response: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Inflammation and repair: acute phase response

Sample item

A patient with chronic inflammation has a low serum iron and a high serum ferritin. Which acute-phase protein, induced by IL-6, accounts for the low iron?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Hepcidin

Hepcidin from the liver blocks ferroportin on enterocytes and macrophages, trapping iron in stores. This is the basis of anaemia of chronic disease.

Option by option

  • A. Fibrinogen

    Fibrinogen raises the ESR by promoting rouleaux but does not control iron.

  • B. C-reactive protein

    C-reactive protein opsonises bacteria and activates complement but does not affect iron handling.

  • C. Serum amyloid A

    Serum amyloid A is the precursor of AA amyloid and does not regulate iron.

  • D. Hepcidin (correct)

    Correct. Hepcidin degrades ferroportin and so reduces iron release into plasma.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, Hepcidin. Hepcidin from the liver blocks ferroportin on enterocytes and macrophages, trapping iron in stores.

Why is "Fibrinogen" not the answer?

Fibrinogen raises the ESR by promoting rouleaux but does not control iron.

Why is "C-reactive protein" not the answer?

C-reactive protein opsonises bacteria and activates complement but does not affect iron handling.

Why is "Serum amyloid A" not the answer?

Serum amyloid A is the precursor of AA amyloid and does not regulate iron.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Inflammation and repair: acute phase response in Pathology. This is the basis of anaemia of chronic 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 Inflammation and repair: acute phase response?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.