Gastroenterology: hepatitis D: 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: hepatitis D

Sample item

A chronic HBsAg carrier presents with sudden severe hepatitis and is positive for anti-HDV IgM. What does this indicate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hepatitis D superinfection, which carries a high risk of fulminant hepatitis and chronicity

Hepatitis D virus is defective and needs HBsAg for assembly. Superinfection of an existing HBV carrier often causes severe acute hepatitis and progresses to chronic HDV in most cases. Coinfection at the same time usually resolves.

Option by option

  • A. Hepatitis D superinfection, which carries a high risk of fulminant hepatitis and chronicity (correct)

    Correct. Superinfection on a carrier carries a poor outlook.

  • B. HCV infection

    HCV is unrelated to anti-HDV IgM.

  • C. Reactivation of hepatitis A

    Hepatitis A reactivation does not occur.

  • D. Hepatitis D coinfection, always self-limited

    Coinfection occurs with acute HBV simultaneously, not in a known carrier.

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, Hepatitis D superinfection, which carries a high risk of fulminant hepatitis and chronicity. Hepatitis D virus is defective and needs HBsAg for assembly.

Why is "HCV infection" not the answer?

HCV is unrelated to anti-HDV IgM.

Why is "Reactivation of hepatitis A" not the answer?

Hepatitis A reactivation does not occur.

Why is "Hepatitis D coinfection, always self-limited" not the answer?

Coinfection occurs with acute HBV simultaneously, not in a known carrier.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology: hepatitis D in General Medicine. Superinfection of an existing HBV carrier often causes severe acute hepatitis and progresses to chronic HDV in most cases. Coinfection at the same time usually resolves.

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: hepatitis D?

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.