Bacterial infections: Buruli ulcer: 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 · Bacterial infections: Buruli ulcer

Sample item

A child from a swampy tropical region has a painless, undermined ulcer with surrounding oedema. The causative organism produces a polyketide toxin that destroys tissue. What is the toxin called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Mycolactone

Mycobacterium ulcerans produces mycolactone, which causes necrosis and suppresses local immunity, so the ulcer is painless. Treatment is rifampicin with clarithromycin or streptomycin for 8 weeks.

Option by option

  • A. Mycolactone (correct)

    Correct. Mycolactone causes the painless tissue necrosis of Buruli ulcer.

  • B. Panton-Valentine leukocidin

    Panton-Valentine leukocidin is associated with recurrent staphylococcal abscesses.

  • C. Exfoliatin

    Exfoliatin is the staphylococcal toxin of scalded skin syndrome.

  • D. Tuberculin

    Tuberculin is a purified protein derivative used in skin testing, not a toxin.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Mycolactone. Mycobacterium ulcerans produces mycolactone, which causes necrosis and suppresses local immunity, so the ulcer is painless.

Why is "Panton-Valentine leukocidin" not the answer?

Panton-Valentine leukocidin is associated with recurrent staphylococcal abscesses.

Why is "Exfoliatin" not the answer?

Exfoliatin is the staphylococcal toxin of scalded skin syndrome.

Why is "Tuberculin" not the answer?

Tuberculin is a purified protein derivative used in skin testing, not a toxin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacterial infections: Buruli ulcer in Dermatology. Treatment is rifampicin with clarithromycin or streptomycin for 8 weeks.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Bacterial infections: Buruli ulcer?

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.