Parasitology: post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis: practice question

A Microbiology 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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Microbiology · Parasitology: post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis

Sample item

A 30-year-old man from Bihar was treated for kala-azar 3 years ago. He now has hypopigmented macules and nodules on the face with no fever. Which statement about this condition is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Affected patients act as a parasite reservoir for sandflies, so detection and treatment matter for elimination

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis follows treated L. donovani visceral disease, appearing months to years later. Skin lesions harbour parasites that can infect sandflies, so patients maintain transmission, making case detection and treatment important for the kala-azar elimination programme in India.

Option by option

  • A. It is self-limiting and treatment is never needed

    Unlike in parts of Africa, Indian PKDL generally does not heal spontaneously and needs treatment.

  • B. It is caused by Leishmania major

    L. major causes Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis, not PKDL.

  • C. It develops only while visceral disease is still active

    PKDL follows the treated visceral disease, appearing after a latent interval.

  • D. Affected patients act as a parasite reservoir for sandflies, so detection and treatment matter for elimination (correct)

    Correct. Skin lesions sustain transmission after the visceral disease is treated.

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.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is D, Affected patients act as a parasite reservoir for sandflies, so detection and treatment matter for elimination. Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis follows treated L.

Why is "It is self-limiting and treatment is never needed" not the answer?

Unlike in parts of Africa, Indian PKDL generally does not heal spontaneously and needs treatment.

Why is "It is caused by Leishmania major" not the answer?

L. major causes Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis, not PKDL.

Why is "It develops only while visceral disease is still active" not the answer?

PKDL follows the treated visceral disease, appearing after a latent interval.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in Microbiology. donovani visceral disease, appearing months to years later. Skin lesions harbour parasites that can infect sandflies, so patients maintain transmission, making case detection and treatment important for the kala-azar elimination programme in India.

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 Parasitology: post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology 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.