Infections: papular purpuric gloves and socks syndrome: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · Infections: papular purpuric gloves and socks syndrome

Sample item

A 22-year-old has fever and painful, pruritic swelling with erythema and petechiae of both hands and feet, sharply bounded at the wrists and ankles. Which virus is the most likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Parvovirus B19

Papular purpuric gloves and socks syndrome is a distinct parvovirus B19 presentation of young adults, with acral oedema, erythema and purpura sharply demarcated at wrists and ankles. It is self-limiting and treated symptomatically. Oral lesions and fever may accompany it.

Option by option

  • A. Parvovirus B19 (correct)

    Correct. Parvovirus B19 causes this glove and sock distribution.

  • B. Herpes simplex virus 2

    HSV causes grouped vesicles.

  • C. Varicella zoster virus

    Varicella causes vesicles in crops over the trunk.

  • D. Hepatitis A virus

    Hepatitis A does not produce this acral 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.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Parvovirus B19. Papular purpuric gloves and socks syndrome is a distinct parvovirus B19 presentation of young adults, with acral oedema, erythema and purpura sharply demarcated at wrists and ankles.

Why is "Herpes simplex virus 2" not the answer?

HSV causes grouped vesicles.

Why is "Varicella zoster virus" not the answer?

Varicella causes vesicles in crops over the trunk.

Why is "Hepatitis A virus" not the answer?

Hepatitis A does not produce this acral pattern.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: papular purpuric gloves and socks syndrome in Dermatology. It is self-limiting and treated symptomatically. Oral lesions and fever may accompany it.

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 Infections: papular purpuric gloves and socks syndrome?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.