General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Mallory bodies are composed of:

Intermediate filaments. **Explanation:** Mallory bodies (also known as Mallory-Denk bodies) are characteristic eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions found in hepatocytes. They are primarily composed of **intermediate filaments**, specifically **pre-keratin (Cytokeratin 8 and 18)**, which have become ubiquitinated and aggregated due to cellular stress and protein misfolding. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A. Fat droplets:** These are seen in steatosis (fatty change). While often co-occurring with Mallory bodies in alcoholic liver disease, they are distinct clear vacuoles, not eosinophilic inclusions [1]. * **B. Mitochondria:** Mitochondrial swelling (megamitochondria) can occur in liver injury, but they do not form the rope-like eosinophilic aggregates characteristic of Mallory bodies. * **C. Lysosomal enzymes:** These are involved in autophagy and cellular digestion. While lysosomes may attempt to degrade Mallory bodies, they are not a structural component of the bodies themselves. **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Appearance:** They appear as "twisted-rope" or "irregularly shaped" eosinophilic (pink) masses in the perinuclear region of hepatocytes [1]. * **Classic Association:** Most commonly associated with **Alcoholic Hepatitis** [1]. * **Other Associations (Mnemonic: "NAAL"):** **N**on-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), **A**lcoholic hepatitis, **A**lpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, **L**iver cirrhosis (Primary Biliary Cholangitis) and Wilson disease [1]. * **Staining:** They stain positive with **Ubiquitin** and **p62** antibodies. * **Cellular Mechanism:** They represent a failure of the proteasome-mediated degradation of damaged cytoskeletal proteins. **References:** [1] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Liver And Biliary System Disease, pp. 388-389.

Q: Which of the following cytokines does not play a role in the production, maintenance, or activation of lymphocytes?

IL-12. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **IL-12**. While IL-12 is a critical cytokine in the immune response, its primary role is the **differentiation** of naive T-cells into Th1 cells [1] and the activation of Natural Killer (NK) cells. It is produced by antigen-presenting cells (macrophages and dendritic cells) rather than being a primary driver for the production or maintenance of the lymphocyte pool itself. **Analysis of Options:** * **IL-1 (Incorrect):** Produced by macrophages, IL-1 acts as a costimulator for **T-cell activation** and promotes the proliferation of B-cells. It is essential for the early stages of lymphocyte response. * **IL-2 (Incorrect):** Known as the **"T-cell growth factor,"** it is the most critical cytokine for the proliferation (production/maintenance) of T-lymphocytes [1]. It acts in an autocrine fashion to drive clonal expansion [1]. * **IL-4 (Incorrect):** Produced by Th2 cells, it is vital for **B-cell activation**, proliferation, and isotype switching to IgE. It also promotes the differentiation of naive T-cells into Th2 cells. **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **IL-2** is the target of immunosuppressants like Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus (which inhibit IL-2 production via calcineurin inhibition). * **IL-7** (not listed) is the primary cytokine responsible for the **maintenance** of memory T-cells and early lymphoid progenitors in the bone marrow. * **IL-12 deficiency** leads to disseminated mycobacterial infections due to the inability to mount a Th1/IFN-$\gamma$ response. * **IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$** are the "pro-inflammatory triad" responsible for the acute phase response and fever. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of the Immune System, pp. 206-218.

Question 1

What is true about dystrophic calcification?

Accepted Answer

All of the above.

Answer

This is the most frequent type of pathologic calcification.

Answer

In the mouth, areas of dystrophic calcification may frequently be found in the gingiva, tongue, or cheek.

Answer

One of the most common intraoral dystrophic calcifications is found in the pulp of teeth.

Question 2

Mallory bodies are composed of:

Accepted Answer

Intermediate filaments

Answer

Fat droplets

Answer

Mitochondria

Answer

Lysosomal enzymes

Question 3

Aspiration of fluid around the knee joint of a diabetic patient undergoing dialysis would show which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Beta-2 microglobulin

Answer

AA amyloid

Answer

AL amyloid

Answer

Lactoferrin

Question 4

Absence of rete pegs is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF)

Answer

Lichen planus

Answer

Leukoplakia

Answer

All of the above

Question 5

Which of the following cytokines does not play a role in the production, maintenance, or activation of lymphocytes?

Accepted Answer

IL-12

Answer

IL-1

Answer

IL-2

Answer

IL-4

Question 6

Venous emboli are most often lodged in which organ?

Accepted Answer

Lungs

Answer

Intestines

Answer

Kidneys

Answer

Heart

Question 7

Transfusion of stored blood causes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Hyponatremia

Answer

Hypercalcemia

Answer

Hypokalemia

Question 8

CD-95 is a marker of?

Accepted Answer

Death receptor

Answer

Tumor cells in T-ALL

Answer

Monocytes

Answer

NK cells

Question 9

Which of the following statements regarding reversible cell injury is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Formation of amorphous densities in the mitochondrial matrix

Answer

Diminished generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Answer

Formation of blebs in the plasma membrane

Answer

Detachment of ribosomes from the granular endoplasmic reticulum

Question 10

Dystrophic calcification is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Myositis ossificans

Answer

Paget's disease

Answer

Metastasis

Answer

Sarcoidosis

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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