Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: body louse infestation: 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 · Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: body louse infestation

Sample item

A homeless man has generalised itching with linear excoriations and thickened, hyperpigmented skin over the shoulders, back and waist. Skin examination reveals no mites or lice. Where should the clinician look for the causative arthropod?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. In the seams of his clothing

Pediculus humanus corporis lives and lays eggs in the seams of clothing and visits the skin only to feed. Chronic infestation gives vagabond's disease with pigmentation and thickening. Treatment is by washing or heat-treating clothing and bedding, with a topical pediculicide as needed.

Option by option

  • A. In burrows on the finger webs

    Burrows in finger webs are the sign of scabies mites.

  • B. In the hair of the scalp

    The scalp is the habitat of the head louse, not the body louse.

  • C. In the follicles of the eyelashes

    Eyelash follicles are the site of Demodex mites and pubic lice.

  • D. In the seams of his clothing (correct)

    Correct. Body lice reside in clothing seams, so the skin itself may show only excoriations.

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 D, In the seams of his clothing. Pediculus humanus corporis lives and lays eggs in the seams of clothing and visits the skin only to feed.

Why is "In burrows on the finger webs" not the answer?

Burrows in finger webs are the sign of scabies mites.

Why is "In the hair of the scalp" not the answer?

The scalp is the habitat of the head louse, not the body louse.

Why is "In the follicles of the eyelashes" not the answer?

Eyelash follicles are the site of Demodex mites and pubic lice.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: body louse infestation in Dermatology. Chronic infestation gives vagabond's disease with pigmentation and thickening. Treatment is by washing or heat-treating clothing and bedding, with a topical pediculicide as needed.

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 Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: body louse infestation?

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.