Gastroenterology: dermatitis herpetiformis: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Gastroenterology: dermatitis herpetiformis

Sample item

Itchy grouped vesicles on extensor surfaces of elbows and knees with IgA granular deposits at dermal papillae on direct immunofluorescence suggest which underlying condition?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Coeliac disease

Dermatitis herpetiformis is the cutaneous manifestation of coeliac disease and shows granular IgA at the dermal papillae. It responds to dapsone and to a gluten-free diet. Pemphigus shows intraepidermal IgG, while pemphigoid shows linear basement membrane deposits.

Option by option

  • A. Coeliac disease (correct)

    Correct. Dermatitis herpetiformis is linked to coeliac disease.

  • B. Bullous pemphigoid

    Pemphigoid shows linear IgG and C3.

  • C. Psoriasis

    Psoriasis has no immunofluorescence deposits.

  • D. Pemphigus vulgaris

    Pemphigus shows IgG in a fishnet pattern.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Coeliac disease. Dermatitis herpetiformis is the cutaneous manifestation of coeliac disease and shows granular IgA at the dermal papillae.

Why is "Bullous pemphigoid" not the answer?

Pemphigoid shows linear IgG and C3.

Why is "Psoriasis" not the answer?

Psoriasis has no immunofluorescence deposits.

Why is "Pemphigus vulgaris" not the answer?

Pemphigus shows IgG in a fishnet pattern.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology: dermatitis herpetiformis in General Medicine. It responds to dapsone and to a gluten-free diet. Pemphigus shows intraepidermal IgG, while pemphigoid shows linear basement membrane deposits.

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 Gastroenterology: dermatitis herpetiformis?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.