Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment: 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: cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment

Sample item

A 24-year-old in a desert region of Rajasthan has a single 2 cm painless crusted ulcer with a raised indurated edge on the forearm for three months. Smear shows amastigotes. Which is a suitable local treatment for an uncomplicated lesion like this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Intralesional sodium stibogluconate

A small single lesion of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis can be treated locally with intralesional pentavalent antimony, cryotherapy or thermotherapy. Systemic therapy is kept for multiple, large or mucosal lesions.

Option by option

  • A. Intralesional triamcinolone

    Triamcinolone suppresses the immune response that controls the parasite and would worsen the lesion.

  • B. Topical mupirocin

    Mupirocin is an antibacterial that does not act on Leishmania.

  • C. Oral griseofulvin

    Griseofulvin is an antifungal and has no effect on protozoa.

  • D. Intralesional sodium stibogluconate (correct)

    Correct. Intralesional sodium stibogluconate is a local option for a single small 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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Intralesional sodium stibogluconate. A small single lesion of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis can be treated locally with intralesional pentavalent antimony, cryotherapy or thermotherapy.

Why is "Intralesional triamcinolone" not the answer?

Triamcinolone suppresses the immune response that controls the parasite and would worsen the lesion.

Why is "Topical mupirocin" not the answer?

Mupirocin is an antibacterial that does not act on Leishmania.

Why is "Oral griseofulvin" not the answer?

Griseofulvin is an antifungal and has no effect on protozoa.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment in Dermatology. Systemic therapy is kept for multiple, large or mucosal lesions.

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: cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment?

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.