Nephrology: membranoproliferative GN: 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 · Nephrology: membranoproliferative GN

Sample item

A renal biopsy shows lobular glomeruli with duplication of the basement membrane giving a tram-track appearance, and serum C3 is persistently low. Which infection is a common secondary cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Hepatitis C with cryoglobulinaemia

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis shows mesangial proliferation with a split basement membrane described as tram-track on silver stain. It is associated with hepatitis C, cryoglobulinaemia, SLE and chronic infections, with low complement. Treatment targets the cause.

Option by option

  • A. Hepatitis A

    Hepatitis A does not cause MPGN.

  • B. Streptococcal pharyngitis only

    Strep pharyngitis causes post-infectious GN with normalisation of C3.

  • C. Typhoid

    Typhoid is not a typical cause.

  • D. Hepatitis C with cryoglobulinaemia (correct)

    Correct. Hepatitis C is a recognised cause.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Hepatitis C with cryoglobulinaemia. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis shows mesangial proliferation with a split basement membrane described as tram-track on silver stain.

Why is "Hepatitis A" not the answer?

Hepatitis A does not cause MPGN.

Why is "Streptococcal pharyngitis only" not the answer?

Strep pharyngitis causes post-infectious GN with normalisation of C3.

Why is "Typhoid" not the answer?

Typhoid is not a typical cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nephrology: membranoproliferative GN in General Medicine. It is associated with hepatitis C, cryoglobulinaemia, SLE and chronic infections, with low complement. Treatment targets the cause.

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 Nephrology: membranoproliferative GN?

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.