Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: cat-scratch disease: 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 · Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: cat-scratch disease

Sample item

A 10-year-old keeping a kitten has a small crusted papule on the hand, followed after two weeks by a tender, enlarged epitrochlear lymph node and mild fever. What is the organism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Bartonella henselae

Cat-scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae after a scratch or bite from a cat. A papule at the inoculation site is followed by tender regional lymphadenopathy, and it is usually self-limiting.

Option by option

  • A. Pasteurella multocida

    Pasteurella causes a rapid painful cellulitis within hours of a bite.

  • B. Francisella tularensis

    Francisella causes tularaemia, linked to rabbits and ticks.

  • C. Bartonella henselae (correct)

    Correct. Bartonella henselae causes cat-scratch disease.

  • D. Mycobacterium marinum

    Mycobacterium marinum causes indolent nodules after fish tank or water exposure.

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, Bartonella henselae. Cat-scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae after a scratch or bite from a cat.

Why is "Pasteurella multocida" not the answer?

Pasteurella causes a rapid painful cellulitis within hours of a bite.

Why is "Francisella tularensis" not the answer?

Francisella causes tularaemia, linked to rabbits and ticks.

Why is "Mycobacterium marinum" not the answer?

Mycobacterium marinum causes indolent nodules after fish tank or water exposure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: cat-scratch disease in Dermatology. A papule at the inoculation site is followed by tender regional lymphadenopathy, and it is usually self-limiting.

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 Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: cat-scratch disease?

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.