Conjunctiva and cornea: molluscum contagiosum of the lid: practice question

A Ophthalmology 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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Ophthalmology · Conjunctiva and cornea: molluscum contagiosum of the lid

Sample item

A 10-year-old has a chronic follicular conjunctivitis in one eye and a small umbilicated, pearly nodule on the lid margin. What is the likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Poxvirus

Molluscum contagiosum of the lid margin releases virus into the conjunctival sac and causes a chronic follicular conjunctivitis. It is caused by a poxvirus. Removing the lesion by curettage or excision cures the conjunctivitis.

Option by option

  • A. Chlamydia trachomatis

    Chlamydia causes follicles without a lid nodule and is seen in trachoma or inclusion disease.

  • B. Staphylococcus aureus

    Staphylococcus causes blepharitis and styes, not umbilicated nodules.

  • C. Adenovirus

    Adenovirus causes an acute, self-limiting follicular conjunctivitis.

  • D. Poxvirus (correct)

    Correct. The umbilicated nodule is a poxvirus lesion.

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.

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Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Poxvirus. Molluscum contagiosum of the lid margin releases virus into the conjunctival sac and causes a chronic follicular conjunctivitis.

Why is "Chlamydia trachomatis" not the answer?

Chlamydia causes follicles without a lid nodule and is seen in trachoma or inclusion disease.

Why is "Staphylococcus aureus" not the answer?

Staphylococcus causes blepharitis and styes, not umbilicated nodules.

Why is "Adenovirus" not the answer?

Adenovirus causes an acute, self-limiting follicular conjunctivitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva and cornea: molluscum contagiosum of the lid in Ophthalmology. It is caused by a poxvirus. Removing the lesion by curettage or excision cures the conjunctivitis.

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 Conjunctiva and cornea: molluscum contagiosum of the lid?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology 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.