Bacterial infections: cutaneous anthrax: 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Bacterial infections: cutaneous anthrax

Sample item

A farmer who skins dead cattle has a painless ulcer on the forearm with a black central eschar surrounded by marked oedema. Which organism is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Bacillus anthracis

Cutaneous anthrax presents as a painless papule that becomes an ulcer with a black eschar (malignant pustule) and surrounding oedema. Gram stain shows large gram-positive bacilli, and ciprofloxacin or doxycycline is used.

Option by option

  • A. Francisella tularensis

    Tularaemia causes a painful ulcer with regional lymphadenopathy after rabbit or tick exposure.

  • B. Bacillus anthracis (correct)

    Correct. A painless eschar with oedema after contact with infected animal products is typical.

  • C. Staphylococcus aureus

    S. aureus abscesses are painful with pus rather than a painless eschar.

  • D. Yersinia pestis

    Plague causes painful bubo formation rather than an eschar.

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 B, Bacillus anthracis. Cutaneous anthrax presents as a painless papule that becomes an ulcer with a black eschar (malignant pustule) and surrounding oedema.

Why is "Francisella tularensis" not the answer?

Tularaemia causes a painful ulcer with regional lymphadenopathy after rabbit or tick exposure.

Why is "Staphylococcus aureus" not the answer?

S. aureus abscesses are painful with pus rather than a painless eschar.

Why is "Yersinia pestis" not the answer?

Plague causes painful bubo formation rather than an eschar.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacterial infections: cutaneous anthrax in Dermatology. Gram stain shows large gram-positive bacilli, and ciprofloxacin or doxycycline is used.

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 Bacterial infections: cutaneous anthrax?

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.