Dermatitis: 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 · Dermatitis

Sample item

A 3-year-old with dry skin has an itchy, lichenified rash in the flexures of the elbows and knees. His father has asthma. Loss-of-function mutations in which gene are strongly associated with this condition?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Filaggrin

Atopic dermatitis is associated with loss-of-function mutations of the filaggrin gene (FLG), which impair the epidermal barrier, increase water loss and allow allergen penetration. It is linked with asthma and allergic rhinitis, and management rests on emollients and topical anti-inflammatory agents.

Option by option

  • A. Filaggrin (correct)

    Correct. Filaggrin deficiency weakens the skin barrier in atopic disease.

  • B. Collagen VII

    Collagen VII mutations cause dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

  • C. Keratin 5

    Keratin 5 mutations cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

  • D. Desmoglein 3

    Desmoglein 3 is the target in pemphigus vulgaris.

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, Filaggrin. Atopic dermatitis is associated with loss-of-function mutations of the filaggrin gene (FLG), which impair the epidermal barrier, increase water loss and allow allergen penetration.

Why is "Collagen VII" not the answer?

Collagen VII mutations cause dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Why is "Keratin 5" not the answer?

Keratin 5 mutations cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Why is "Desmoglein 3" not the answer?

Desmoglein 3 is the target in pemphigus vulgaris.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dermatitis in Dermatology. It is linked with asthma and allergic rhinitis, and management rests on emollients and topical anti-inflammatory agents.

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 Dermatitis?

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.