Q.1 Which organism is the most common cause of tinea corporis?
Trichophyton rubrum
Candida albicans
Malassezia furfur
Aspergillus fumigatus
Explanation - Tinea corporis is most often caused by dermatophytes, with Trichophyton rubrum being the leading cause worldwide.
Correct answer is: Trichophyton rubrum
Q.2 Which of the following is known as 'athlete’s foot'?
Tinea corporis
Tinea pedis
Tinea cruris
Tinea capitis
Explanation - Tinea pedis, also called athlete’s foot, is a dermatophyte infection affecting the feet, commonly between the toes.
Correct answer is: Tinea pedis
Q.3 What is the typical first-line treatment for onychomycosis?
Topical clotrimazole
Oral terbinafine
Topical hydrocortisone
Oral doxycycline
Explanation - Onychomycosis often requires systemic antifungals due to poor nail penetration, with oral terbinafine being most effective.
Correct answer is: Oral terbinafine
Q.4 Which fungal infection is commonly associated with hypopigmented or hyperpigmented patches on the trunk?
Tinea corporis
Pityriasis versicolor
Tinea pedis
Candidiasis
Explanation - Pityriasis versicolor, caused by Malassezia species, presents as hypopigmented or hyperpigmented patches on the trunk and shoulders.
Correct answer is: Pityriasis versicolor
Q.5 Which diagnostic method is commonly used to confirm dermatophyte infection?
KOH mount
Gram stain
Ziehl-Neelsen stain
Blood culture
Explanation - KOH mount dissolves keratin and reveals fungal hyphae, making it a quick and reliable test for dermatophyte infections.
Correct answer is: KOH mount
Q.6 What is the main causative organism of tinea capitis in children?
Candida albicans
Trichophyton tonsurans
Malassezia furfur
Cryptococcus neoformans
Explanation - Trichophyton tonsurans is the most frequent cause of tinea capitis, particularly in children.
Correct answer is: Trichophyton tonsurans
Q.7 Which antifungal works by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis?
Amphotericin B
Terbinafine
Nystatin
Fluconazole
Explanation - Azoles like fluconazole inhibit ergosterol synthesis, an essential component of fungal cell membranes.
Correct answer is: Fluconazole
Q.8 Tinea cruris most commonly affects which body area?
Scalp
Groin
Hands
Feet
Explanation - Tinea cruris, or 'jock itch,' affects the groin and inner thighs, presenting with pruritic erythematous plaques.
Correct answer is: Groin
Q.9 Which fungal infection presents as thickened, brittle, and discolored nails?
Candidiasis
Onychomycosis
Pityriasis versicolor
Sporotrichosis
Explanation - Onychomycosis affects the nails, causing thickening, discoloration, and brittleness.
Correct answer is: Onychomycosis
Q.10 Wood’s lamp examination of tinea capitis due to Microsporum species shows which color?
Blue-green fluorescence
Red fluorescence
Yellow fluorescence
No fluorescence
Explanation - Microsporum species fluoresce blue-green under Wood’s lamp, aiding in diagnosis of tinea capitis.
Correct answer is: Blue-green fluorescence
Q.11 Which antifungal is preferred in pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidiasis?
Oral fluconazole
Topical clotrimazole
Oral terbinafine
Topical ketoconazole
Explanation - Topical azoles like clotrimazole are safe in pregnancy, while systemic fluconazole is generally avoided.
Correct answer is: Topical clotrimazole
Q.12 Which condition is also called 'ringworm of the scalp'?
Tinea pedis
Tinea capitis
Tinea corporis
Pityriasis versicolor
Explanation - Tinea capitis is often referred to as 'ringworm of the scalp,' commonly affecting children.
Correct answer is: Tinea capitis
Q.13 Which of the following fungi is NOT a dermatophyte?
Epidermophyton
Trichophyton
Candida
Microsporum
Explanation - Dermatophytes include Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Candida is a yeast, not a dermatophyte.
Correct answer is: Candida
Q.14 Which is a common predisposing factor for oral candidiasis?
Excessive sun exposure
Prolonged antibiotic use
Frequent exercise
High protein diet
Explanation - Broad-spectrum antibiotics suppress normal flora, predisposing to Candida overgrowth in the mouth.
Correct answer is: Prolonged antibiotic use
Q.15 Which antifungal acts by binding to ergosterol and forming membrane pores?
Ketoconazole
Amphotericin B
Terbinafine
Fluconazole
Explanation - Amphotericin B binds ergosterol in fungal membranes, creating pores and causing cell death.
Correct answer is: Amphotericin B
Q.16 Which fungal infection is known as 'jock itch'?
Tinea pedis
Tinea cruris
Tinea capitis
Onychomycosis
Explanation - Tinea cruris, commonly called 'jock itch,' affects the groin area and inner thighs.
Correct answer is: Tinea cruris
Q.17 What is the usual mode of transmission of dermatophyte infections?
Inhalation of spores
Person-to-person contact
Insect bite
Airborne droplets
Explanation - Dermatophytes are transmitted mainly through direct contact or via contaminated fomites.
Correct answer is: Person-to-person contact
Q.18 Tinea manuum most commonly affects which area?
Feet
Hands
Groin
Face
Explanation - Tinea manuum affects the hands, usually presenting as scaling, erythema, and itching of the palms.
Correct answer is: Hands
Q.19 Which test differentiates Candida from dermatophytes?
Culture on Sabouraud’s agar
Germ tube test
KOH mount
Wood’s lamp examination
Explanation - The germ tube test is a rapid method to identify Candida albicans, which forms germ tubes in serum.
Correct answer is: Germ tube test
Q.20 Which fungal infection is associated with exposure to soil and causes subcutaneous nodules along lymphatics?
Candidiasis
Tinea corporis
Sporotrichosis
Onychomycosis
Explanation - Sporotrichosis, caused by Sporothrix schenckii, spreads along lymphatics, producing nodular lesions.
Correct answer is: Sporotrichosis
Q.21 Which clinical feature distinguishes candidiasis from dermatophytosis?
Central clearing of lesion
Satellite pustules
Scaly margin
Annular shape
Explanation - Candidiasis typically shows satellite pustules around erythematous plaques, unlike dermatophytosis.
Correct answer is: Satellite pustules
Q.22 What is the common name of tinea corporis?
Ringworm
Athlete’s foot
Thrush
Jock itch
Explanation - Tinea corporis is commonly called 'ringworm' due to its annular ring-shaped lesions.
Correct answer is: Ringworm
Q.23 Which systemic condition predisposes strongly to mucocutaneous candidiasis?
Diabetes mellitus
Hypertension
Asthma
Hyperthyroidism
Explanation - High glucose levels in diabetes promote Candida growth, increasing risk of candidiasis.
Correct answer is: Diabetes mellitus
Q.24 Which antifungal is used topically for tinea infections?
Clotrimazole
Acyclovir
Erythromycin
Hydrocortisone
Explanation - Clotrimazole is a topical azole antifungal commonly used for superficial dermatophyte infections.
Correct answer is: Clotrimazole
Q.25 Which fungal infection is commonly seen in immunocompromised patients and causes oral thrush?
Candidiasis
Tinea corporis
Sporotrichosis
Aspergillosis
Explanation - Candidiasis causes oral thrush, especially in immunocompromised individuals or after antibiotics.
Correct answer is: Candidiasis