Infectious Diseases Practice Questions

Q: A 5-year-old child is exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A month later, the child's tuberculin skin test is positive. The child then develops fever, inspiratory stridor, and nonproductive cough. Which of the following findings is most likely to be present on the chest radiograph of this child?

Hilar lymphadenopathy. **Explanation:** The clinical presentation describes **Primary Tuberculosis** in a child. When a person is first exposed to *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, the initial response is the formation of a **Ghon complex** [1]. **Why Hilar Lymphadenopathy is correct:** In children, the primary infection is characterized by a small parenchymal lesion (Ghon focus) and, more prominently, significant **hilar or paratracheal lymphadenopathy** [1]. The child’s symptoms of **inspiratory stridor** and nonproductive cough are classic indicators of "Epituberculosis," where enlarged hilar lymph nodes compress the tracheobronchial tree, leading to airway obstruction or collapse. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **B. Miliary pulmonary nodules:** This represents hematogenous dissemination of the bacilli. While possible in primary TB, it is a complication rather than the most likely initial radiographic finding in a child with obstructive symptoms. * **C. Pneumonic consolidation:** While a Ghon focus is a localized area of inflammation, lobar consolidation is more typical of bacterial pneumonia or progressive primary TB, not the classic presentation of nodal compression. * **D. Upper lobe cavitation:** This is the hallmark of **Secondary (Reactivation) Tuberculosis**, typically seen in adults. Primary TB in children is characterized by a lack of cavitation due to a different immune response. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Ghon Focus:** Subpleural lesion in the upper part of the lower lobe or lower part of the upper lobe [1]. * **Ghon Complex:** Ghon focus + Lymphangitis + Hilar Lymphadenopathy [1]. * **Ranke Complex:** A radiologically visible calcified Ghon complex. * **Primary TB** is "Ghon-centric" (nodes > parenchyma), while **Secondary TB** is "Cavitary-centric" (apex of lungs). **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Infectious Diseases, pp. 379-380.

Question 1

Which of the following is associated with leprosy?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Foamy histiocytes

Answer

Epithelioid cells

Answer

Noncaseating granulomas

Question 2

What is the most important factor associated with the progression of HIV to AIDS?

Accepted Answer

CD4 count

Answer

Nutrition

Answer

Viral load

Answer

Age

Question 3

Ghon's focus reflects:

Accepted Answer

Primary complex

Answer

Miliary tuberculosis

Answer

Tuberculous lymphadenitis

Answer

Post-primary tuberculosis

Question 4

A 5-year-old child is exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A month later, the child's tuberculin skin test is positive. The child then develops fever, inspiratory stridor, and nonproductive cough. Which of the following findings is most likely to be present on the chest radiograph of this child?

Accepted Answer

Hilar lymphadenopathy

Answer

Miliary pulmonary nodules

Answer

Pneumonic consolidation

Answer

Upper lobe cavitation

Question 5

What is the primary role of the Group 120 antigen on the HIV surface?

Accepted Answer

Attachment of the virus to the host cell receptor

Answer

Fusion of the virus with the host cell membrane

Answer

Resistance to antiviral medications

Answer

Entry of the viral genetic material into the host cell

Question 6

White lung is due to which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Asbestosis

Answer

Congenital syphilis

Answer

Toxoplasmosis

Answer

Congenital tuberculosis

Question 7

Which of the following statements regarding BK virus infection is true?

Accepted Answer

Causes nephropathy in transplant patients

Answer

Causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Answer

20-25% of transplant cases are associated with BK virus nephropathy

Answer

Is a single-stranded DNA virus

Question 8

How does Systemic Miliary TB spread?

Accepted Answer

Artery

Answer

Vein

Answer

Bronchus

Answer

Lymphatic

Question 9

What organ is typically associated with the presence of a D

u
r
c
k
granuloma?

Accepted Answer

Brain

Answer

Spleen

Answer

Liver

Answer

Lymph node

Question 10

Chronic fibrosing mediastinitis is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Sarcoidosis

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Histoplasmosis

Answer

Plague

Infectious Diseases — MCQs

Infectious Diseases — MCQs

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