Non-communicable diseases: ergotism: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Non-communicable diseases: ergotism

Sample item

Villagers who ate bajra contaminated with a fungus develop burning pain, gangrene of fingers and convulsions in an outbreak. Which toxin is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ergot alkaloids

Ergotism follows eating grain, especially bajra or rye, contaminated with Claviceps purpurea. The alkaloids cause vasoconstriction, gangrene and convulsions. Aflatoxin causes liver disease, sanguinarine causes epidemic dropsy and the amino acid toxin causes lathyrism.

Option by option

  • A. Aflatoxin

    Aflatoxin causes hepatotoxicity and liver cancer.

  • B. Ergot alkaloids (correct)

    Correct. Ergot alkaloids cause vasospasm and gangrene.

  • C. Beta-oxalylamino-alanine

    The amino acid toxin in khesari dal causes neurolathyrism.

  • D. Sanguinarine

    Sanguinarine in argemone oil causes epidemic dropsy.

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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Ergot alkaloids. Ergotism follows eating grain, especially bajra or rye, contaminated with Claviceps purpurea.

Why is "Aflatoxin" not the answer?

Aflatoxin causes hepatotoxicity and liver cancer.

Why is "Beta-oxalylamino-alanine" not the answer?

The amino acid toxin in khesari dal causes neurolathyrism.

Why is "Sanguinarine" not the answer?

Sanguinarine in argemone oil causes epidemic dropsy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Non-communicable diseases: ergotism in PSM. The alkaloids cause vasoconstriction, gangrene and convulsions. Aflatoxin causes liver disease, sanguinarine causes epidemic dropsy and the amino acid toxin causes lathyrism.

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 Non-communicable diseases: ergotism?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.