STI: biological false positive VDRL: 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 · STI: biological false positive VDRL

Sample item

A woman with recurrent miscarriages and venous thrombosis has a reactive VDRL, but the TPHA is nonreactive. Which condition explains this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Antiphospholipid syndrome

VDRL uses a cardiolipin antigen, so antiphospholipid antibodies produce a biological false positive result. Other causes include pregnancy, SLE, leprosy, malaria, tuberculosis and viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis.

Option by option

  • A. Chlamydial infection

    Chlamydial infection does not cause a false positive VDRL.

  • B. Gonorrhoea

    Gonorrhoea does not cause a false positive VDRL.

  • C. Antiphospholipid syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Anticardiolipin antibodies cause a false positive VDRL.

  • D. Chancroid

    Chancroid does not cause a false positive VDRL.

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, Antiphospholipid syndrome. VDRL uses a cardiolipin antigen, so antiphospholipid antibodies produce a biological false positive result.

Why is "Chlamydial infection" not the answer?

Chlamydial infection does not cause a false positive VDRL.

Why is "Gonorrhoea" not the answer?

Gonorrhoea does not cause a false positive VDRL.

Why is "Chancroid" not the answer?

Chancroid does not cause a false positive VDRL.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: biological false positive VDRL in Dermatology. Other causes include pregnancy, SLE, leprosy, malaria, tuberculosis and viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis.

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 STI: biological false positive VDRL?

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.