Uvea: toxoplasma treatment: practice question

A Ophthalmology 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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Ophthalmology · Uvea: toxoplasma treatment

Sample item

A patient with sight-threatening toxoplasma retinochoroiditis is started on pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Which supplement is added to prevent bone marrow suppression?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Folinic acid

Pyrimethamine blocks the parasite dihydrofolate reductase but also depresses the host marrow. Folinic acid bypasses the block in human cells and protects the marrow. Blood counts are monitored during therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Pyridoxine

    Pyridoxine is used to prevent isoniazid neuropathy and has no role here.

  • B. Vitamin B12

    Vitamin B12 does not correct antifolate marrow suppression.

  • C. Ferrous sulphate

    Iron corrects iron deficiency and not antifolate marrow suppression.

  • D. Folinic acid (correct)

    Correct. Folinic acid protects the host marrow from antifolate toxicity.

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 Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Folinic acid. Pyrimethamine blocks the parasite dihydrofolate reductase but also depresses the host marrow.

Why is "Pyridoxine" not the answer?

Pyridoxine is used to prevent isoniazid neuropathy and has no role here.

Why is "Vitamin B12" not the answer?

Vitamin B12 does not correct antifolate marrow suppression.

Why is "Ferrous sulphate" not the answer?

Iron corrects iron deficiency and not antifolate marrow suppression.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Uvea: toxoplasma treatment in Ophthalmology. Folinic acid bypasses the block in human cells and protects the marrow. Blood counts are monitored during therapy.

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 Uvea: toxoplasma treatment?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology 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.