Rheumatology: IgA vasculitis: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Rheumatology: IgA vasculitis

Sample item

A 20-year-old develops palpable purpura on the legs, colicky abdominal pain, arthralgia and haematuria after an upper respiratory infection. What does skin or renal biopsy immunofluorescence show?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Predominant IgA deposition in vessel walls

IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schonlein purpura) is a small-vessel leukocytoclastic vasculitis with IgA-dominant immune deposits. It presents with palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis and nephritis. Most cases resolve spontaneously.

Option by option

  • A. Deposits of cryoglobulins only

    Cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis involves hepatitis C and mixed cryoglobulins, not this picture.

  • B. Negative immunofluorescence (pauci-immune)

    Pauci-immune pattern characterises ANCA-associated vasculitis.

  • C. Linear IgG along the basement membrane

    Linear IgG is seen in anti-GBM disease.

  • D. Predominant IgA deposition in vessel walls (correct)

    Correct. IgA-dominant deposits define the disease.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Predominant IgA deposition in vessel walls. IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schonlein purpura) is a small-vessel leukocytoclastic vasculitis with IgA-dominant immune deposits.

Why is "Deposits of cryoglobulins only" not the answer?

Cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis involves hepatitis C and mixed cryoglobulins, not this picture.

Why is "Negative immunofluorescence (pauci-immune)" not the answer?

Pauci-immune pattern characterises ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Why is "Linear IgG along the basement membrane" not the answer?

Linear IgG is seen in anti-GBM disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology: IgA vasculitis in General Medicine. It presents with palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis and nephritis. Most cases resolve spontaneously.

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 Rheumatology: IgA vasculitis?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.