USMLE-Rx Step 1 Qmax Challenge #1751

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USMLE-Rx Step 1 Qmax Challenge #1751A 38-year-old man comes to the physician 1 week after noticing a painless, red lesion on the side of his penis. He initially assumed it was the result of friction during intercourse. The patient is sexually active with several partners. Physical examination reveals a small ulcer on the patient’s penis (shown in the image).

Which of the following is the mechanism of action of the first-line therapy for his condition?

A. Blocks peptide bond formation at the 50S ribosomal subunit, interfering with bacterial replication
B. Causes bacterial cell death by inhibiting DNA gyrase
C. Causes cell lysis by interfering with transpeptidase cross-linking of cell wall
D. Gives rise to p-aminobenzoic acid anti-metabolites, leading to the inhibition of dihydropteroate synthase
E. Gives rise to reactive intermediates, leading to reduced synthesis of protein, nucleotides, and the cell wall
F. Inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase

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Discussion

12 thoughts on “USMLE-Rx Step 1 Qmax Challenge #1751”

    1. Melanie A Lee MD

      I did confuse chancre of syphilis for the spelling of chancroid. So I was mistaken. I knew this was syphilis So I change my answer to C.

  1. A is not correct. In type I hypersensitivity reactions, antigens cross-link preformed IgE on presensitized mast cells and basophils, which triggers the release of vasoactive amines. Examples of type I hypersensitivity reactions include asthma and anaphylaxis. This patient’s presentation is not consistent with a type I hypersensitivity reaction.

    The correct answer is B. This patient presents with a persistent cough, bleeding in the lungs, and blood in the sputum and urine. The renal biopsy shows a glomerulonephritis characterized by linear deposits of antibody along the glomerular basement membrane, indicating that this patient likely has Goodpasture syndrome, which is an autoimmune condition defined by the triad of glomerulonephritis (usually rapidly progressive or crescentic), pulmonary hemorrhage, and antiglomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibody formation. In this disease, there is a production of circulating autoantibodies, which are directed against an antigen intrinsic to the GBM, in response to an unknown inciting stimulus. The principal target for the anti-GBM antibodies is the ?-3 chain of type IV collagen, which is found in the basement membrane collagen.

    The lungs and kidneys are affected because the vascular permeability in the alveoli and glomerulus leaves the basement membrane exposed, while it is covered in the rest of the body. It can also be referred to as anti-GBM antibody disease. This patient is experiencing hypertension, likely secondary to renal failure induced by the glomerulonephritis, as well as hematuria due to the glomerulonephritis. This is an example of a type II hypersensitivity reaction, in which antibody binds to antigen on a cell, leading to lysis by complement or phagocytosis. Because the damage in this disease is caused by the actions of antibodies on the GBM, diagnosis is made by immunofluorescence, which shows smooth linear staining along the basement membrane, like that shown in the question.

    In type I hypersensitivity reactions, antigens cross-link preformed IgE on presensitized mast cells and basophils, which triggers the release of vasoactive amines. Examples of type I hypersensitivity reactions include asthma and anaphylaxis.

    Type III hypersensitivity reactions are those involving immune complex deposition. Antigen-antibody complexes are deposited and activate complement. The activated complement attracts neutrophils, which release lysosomal enzymes. Serum sickness and the Arthus reaction are variants of the type III hypersensitivity reaction.

    Type IV hypersensitivity reactions are delayed cell-mediated reactions. Sensitized T-lymphocytes encounter antigen and then release lymphokines, which leads to macrophage activation. Examples include skin tests for tuberculosis and transplant rejection.

    C is not correct. Type III hypersensitivity reactions are those involving immune complex deposition. Antigen-antibody complexes are deposited and activate complement. The activated complement attracts neutrophils, which release lysosomal enzymes. Serum sickness and the Arthus reaction are variants of the type III hypersensitivity reaction. Other examples include rheumatoid arthritis and polyarteritis nodosa. This patient’s presentation is not consistent with a type III hypersensitivity reaction.

    D is not correct. Type IV hypersensitivity reactions are delayed cell-mediated reactions. Sensitized T-lymphocytes encounter antigen and then release lymphokines, which leads to macrophage activation. Examples include skin tests for tuberculosis and transplant rejection. This patient’s presentation is not consistent with a type IV hypersensitivity reaction.

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