Infections: hyper-IgE 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Infections: hyper-IgE syndrome

Sample item

A child has recurrent cold staphylococcal skin abscesses, eczema, pneumatoceles, retained primary teeth and very high serum IgE. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hyper-IgE (Job) syndrome

Hyper-IgE syndrome, usually due to STAT3 mutation, presents with eczema, cold abscesses, pneumonias with pneumatoceles, retained teeth and fractures. Serum IgE is markedly raised. Chronic granulomatous disease gives catalase-positive infections with abnormal nitroblue tetrazolium reduction.

Option by option

  • A. Atopic dermatitis alone

    Atopic dermatitis alone does not explain recurrent deep abscesses and pneumatoceles.

  • B. Hyper-IgE (Job) syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Cold abscesses, eczema, pneumatoceles and raised IgE indicate Job syndrome.

  • C. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

    Wiskott-Aldrich has thrombocytopenia with small platelets.

  • D. Chronic granulomatous disease

    CGD shows infections with catalase-positive organisms and granulomas, without retained teeth.

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, Hyper-IgE (Job) syndrome. Hyper-IgE syndrome, usually due to STAT3 mutation, presents with eczema, cold abscesses, pneumonias with pneumatoceles, retained teeth and fractures.

Why is "Atopic dermatitis alone" not the answer?

Atopic dermatitis alone does not explain recurrent deep abscesses and pneumatoceles.

Why is "Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome" not the answer?

Wiskott-Aldrich has thrombocytopenia with small platelets.

Why is "Chronic granulomatous disease" not the answer?

CGD shows infections with catalase-positive organisms and granulomas, without retained teeth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: hyper-IgE syndrome in Dermatology. Serum IgE is markedly raised. Chronic granulomatous disease gives catalase-positive infections with abnormal nitroblue tetrazolium reduction.

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: hyper-IgE 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.