STI: early latent syphilis: 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 · STI: early latent syphilis

Sample item

A blood donor has reactive VDRL and TPHA with no symptoms. A negative test was documented 8 months ago. How is the stage classified?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Early latent syphilis

Latent syphilis is seroreactivity without symptoms. If infection was acquired within the past year, which is shown here by a documented negative test, it is early latent syphilis. Late latent disease is acquired more than a year ago or of unknown duration.

Option by option

  • A. Tertiary syphilis

    Tertiary disease needs gummatous, cardiovascular or neurological lesions.

  • B. Early latent syphilis (correct)

    Correct. Documented seroconversion within 1 year defines early latent disease.

  • C. Primary syphilis

    Primary syphilis requires a chancre.

  • D. Late latent syphilis

    Late latent requires infection longer than one year or unknown duration.

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 B, Early latent syphilis. Latent syphilis is seroreactivity without symptoms.

Why is "Tertiary syphilis" not the answer?

Tertiary disease needs gummatous, cardiovascular or neurological lesions.

Why is "Primary syphilis" not the answer?

Primary syphilis requires a chancre.

Why is "Late latent syphilis" not the answer?

Late latent requires infection longer than one year or unknown duration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: early latent syphilis in Dermatology. If infection was acquired within the past year, which is shown here by a documented negative test, it is early latent syphilis. Late latent disease is acquired more than a year ago or of unknown duration.

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 STI: early latent syphilis?

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.