Bullous disorders: epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: 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 · Bullous disorders: epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Sample item

Blisters heal with scarring and milia at trauma-prone sites in an adult. Salt-split skin immunofluorescence shows IgG on the dermal side. Which is the target antigen?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Type VII collagen

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an autoimmune disease against type VII collagen of anchoring fibrils, so IgG binds to the floor of salt-split skin. In bullous pemphigoid the IgG binds to the roof.

Option by option

  • A. BP180

    BP180 is in hemidesmosomes and labels the roof.

  • B. Keratin 14

    Keratin 14 mutations cause inherited epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

  • C. Type VII collagen (correct)

    Correct. Collagen VII lies below the lamina densa and labels the floor.

  • D. Desmoglein 3

    Desmoglein 3 is an intraepidermal target.

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 C, Type VII collagen. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an autoimmune disease against type VII collagen of anchoring fibrils, so IgG binds to the floor of salt-split skin.

Why is "BP180" not the answer?

BP180 is in hemidesmosomes and labels the roof.

Why is "Keratin 14" not the answer?

Keratin 14 mutations cause inherited epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Why is "Desmoglein 3" not the answer?

Desmoglein 3 is an intraepidermal target.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bullous disorders: epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in Dermatology. In bullous pemphigoid the IgG binds to the roof.

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 Bullous disorders: epidermolysis bullosa acquisita?

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.