Vesiculobullous disorders: bullous systemic lupus erythematosus: 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 · Vesiculobullous disorders: bullous systemic lupus erythematosus

Sample item

A woman with SLE develops tense subepidermal blisters on sun-exposed skin that respond dramatically to dapsone. Which antigen is the main target?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Type VII collagen

Bullous SLE is a neutrophil-rich subepidermal blistering disease with autoantibodies to type VII collagen, and it responds rapidly to dapsone. It differs from bullous pemphigoid by the lupus context and the target antigen. Desmogleins are targeted in pemphigus.

Option by option

  • A. Desmoglein 1

    Desmoglein 1 is targeted in pemphigus foliaceus.

  • B. Type VII collagen (correct)

    Correct. Type VII collagen is the typical antigen.

  • C. Desmoglein 3

    Desmoglein 3 is targeted in pemphigus vulgaris.

  • D. BP230 only

    BP230 is a bullous pemphigoid antigen.

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 B, Type VII collagen. Bullous SLE is a neutrophil-rich subepidermal blistering disease with autoantibodies to type VII collagen, and it responds rapidly to dapsone.

Why is "Desmoglein 1" not the answer?

Desmoglein 1 is targeted in pemphigus foliaceus.

Why is "Desmoglein 3" not the answer?

Desmoglein 3 is targeted in pemphigus vulgaris.

Why is "BP230 only" not the answer?

BP230 is a bullous pemphigoid antigen.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vesiculobullous disorders: bullous systemic lupus erythematosus in Dermatology. It differs from bullous pemphigoid by the lupus context and the target antigen. Desmogleins are targeted in pemphigus.

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 Vesiculobullous disorders: bullous systemic lupus erythematosus?

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.