Amyloidosis: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Amyloidosis

Sample item

What histologic stain shows apple-green birefringence under polarized light in amyloid deposits?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Congo red

Amyloid is extracellular fibrillar protein that stains with Congo red and demonstrates apple-green birefringence under polarized light. Typing of amyloid requires further methods.

Option by option

  • A. Congo red (correct)

    Correct. Congo red birefringence is the classic amyloid finding.

  • B. Ziehl-Neelsen

    Ziehl-Neelsen stains acid-fast organisms.

  • C. Masson trichrome

    Masson trichrome highlights collagen.

  • D. Periodic acid-Schiff

    PAS stains glycogen and some basement membranes.

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 Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is A, Congo red. Amyloid is extracellular fibrillar protein that stains with Congo red and demonstrates apple-green birefringence under polarized light.

Why is "Ziehl-Neelsen" not the answer?

Ziehl-Neelsen stains acid-fast organisms.

Why is "Masson trichrome" not the answer?

Masson trichrome highlights collagen.

Why is "Periodic acid-Schiff" not the answer?

PAS stains glycogen and some basement membranes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Amyloidosis in Pathology. Typing of amyloid requires further methods.

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 Amyloidosis?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.