Infectious diseases: Kaposi sarcoma: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Infectious diseases: Kaposi sarcoma

Sample item

A man with HIV and a CD4 count of 90 cells per microlitre has multiple violaceous nodules on his legs and palate. Biopsy shows spindle cells forming slit-like vascular spaces. Which virus is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Human herpesvirus 8

Kaposi sarcoma is caused by human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus). It is an AIDS-defining vascular tumour, and antiretroviral therapy is the foundation of treatment, with chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Option by option

  • A. Cytomegalovirus

    Cytomegalovirus causes retinitis, colitis and oesophagitis in advanced HIV.

  • B. Human papillomavirus

    Human papillomavirus causes warts and anogenital and cervical neoplasia.

  • C. Epstein-Barr virus

    Epstein-Barr virus is linked with primary CNS lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma in HIV.

  • D. Human herpesvirus 8 (correct)

    Correct. HHV-8 is the causative agent of Kaposi sarcoma.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Human herpesvirus 8. Kaposi sarcoma is caused by human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus).

Why is "Cytomegalovirus" not the answer?

Cytomegalovirus causes retinitis, colitis and oesophagitis in advanced HIV.

Why is "Human papillomavirus" not the answer?

Human papillomavirus causes warts and anogenital and cervical neoplasia.

Why is "Epstein-Barr virus" not the answer?

Epstein-Barr virus is linked with primary CNS lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma in HIV.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: Kaposi sarcoma in General Medicine. It is an AIDS-defining vascular tumour, and antiretroviral therapy is the foundation of treatment, with chemotherapy for advanced disease.

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 Infectious diseases: Kaposi sarcoma?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.