Infections: cutaneous anthrax: 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: cutaneous anthrax

Sample item

A hide worker has a painless black necrotic ulcer with a rim of vesicles and marked surrounding oedema on the forearm. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Cutaneous anthrax

Cutaneous anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, produces a painless malignant pustule with a black eschar and extensive oedema after contact with infected animal products. Diagnosis is by Gram stain and culture of the lesion. Treatment is with ciprofloxacin, doxycycline or penicillin.

Option by option

  • A. Cutaneous anthrax (correct)

    Correct. A painless black eschar with oedema after hide contact is anthrax.

  • B. Cellulitis from Streptococcus pyogenes

    Streptococcal cellulitis is painful, hot and non-necrotic.

  • C. Cutaneous leishmaniasis

    Leishmaniasis gives a chronic nodule with a crusted ulcer, not a painless black eschar with oedema.

  • D. Orf

    Orf is a lesion seen after contact with sheep and has a targetoid nodule without a black eschar.

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 Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Cutaneous anthrax. Cutaneous anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, produces a painless malignant pustule with a black eschar and extensive oedema after contact with infected animal products.

Why is "Cellulitis from Streptococcus pyogenes" not the answer?

Streptococcal cellulitis is painful, hot and non-necrotic.

Why is "Cutaneous leishmaniasis" not the answer?

Leishmaniasis gives a chronic nodule with a crusted ulcer, not a painless black eschar with oedema.

Why is "Orf" not the answer?

Orf is a lesion seen after contact with sheep and has a targetoid nodule without a black eschar.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: cutaneous anthrax in Dermatology. Diagnosis is by Gram stain and culture of the lesion. Treatment is with ciprofloxacin, doxycycline or penicillin.

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 Infections: cutaneous anthrax?

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.