Immunopathology: HLA and type 1 diabetes: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Immunopathology: HLA and type 1 diabetes

Sample item

A 12-year-old child develops polyuria, weight loss and ketoacidosis. Islet autoantibodies are positive. Which HLA haplotypes are most strongly associated with this disease?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. HLA-DR3 and DR4

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease with T cell-mediated destruction of beta cells, and most patients carry HLA-DR3 or DR4. HLA-B27 is linked to seronegative spondyloarthropathies and HLA-B51 to Behcet disease.

Option by option

  • A. HLA-B51

    HLA-B51 is associated with Behcet disease.

  • B. HLA-B27

    HLA-B27 is associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

  • C. HLA-DQ2

    HLA-DQ2 is associated with coeliac disease.

  • D. HLA-DR3 and DR4 (correct)

    Correct. DR3 and DR4 are the classical type 1 diabetes susceptibility alleles.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, HLA-DR3 and DR4. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease with T cell-mediated destruction of beta cells, and most patients carry HLA-DR3 or DR4.

Why is "HLA-B51" not the answer?

HLA-B51 is associated with Behcet disease.

Why is "HLA-B27" not the answer?

HLA-B27 is associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

Why is "HLA-DQ2" not the answer?

HLA-DQ2 is associated with coeliac disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunopathology: HLA and type 1 diabetes in Pathology. HLA-B27 is linked to seronegative spondyloarthropathies and HLA-B51 to Behcet 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 Immunopathology: HLA and type 1 diabetes?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.