NEET-PG 2019 — Pathology

Q: A 12-year-old boy develops multiple lumps in the skin. Biopsy of the lumps is shown below. What is the probable causative agent? (NEET Pattern 2019)

Cysticercus cellulosae. ***Cysticercus cellulosae*** - The presence of multiple lumps in the skin, particularly in a child, is highly suggestive of **subcutaneous cysticercosis** [1]. - **_Cysticercus cellulosae_** is the larval stage of **_Taenia solium_** (pork tapeworm), which commonly encysts in subcutaneous tissues, muscles, and the brain in humans [1]. *Cysticercus bovis* - **_Cysticercus bovis_** is the larval stage of **_Taenia saginata_** (beef tapeworm). - It primarily infects cattle and is not a common cause of subcutaneous lumps in humans. *Echinococcus granulosus* - **_Echinococcus granulosus_** causes **hydatid disease**, forming large cysts primarily in the liver and lungs [1]. - While it can form cysts in other organs, it typically presents as large, solitary cysts rather than multiple small subcutaneous lumps. *Hymenolepis Nana* - **_Hymenolepis nana_** is the **dwarf tapeworm** and is the most common cestode infection in humans. - It is an intestinal parasite and does not form cysts or lumps in the skin. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Infectious Diseases, pp. 403-405. [Practice more Pathology PYQs on OnCourse]

1 Previous Year Questions with Answers & Explanations

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A 12-year-old boy develops multiple lumps in the skin. Biopsy of the lumps is shown below. What is the probable causative agent? (NEET Pattern 2019)