Microbiology · Gram-Positive Bacteria (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Clostridium, Diphtheria)

Regarding latent periods in post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis, nephritis characteristically appears:

  • A 3 to 6 weeks after pharyngitis and 1 to 3 weeks after impetigo
  • B 1 to 3 weeks after pharyngitis and 3 to 6 weeks after impetigo
  • C Within 48 hours of either pharyngitis or impetigo
  • D Simultaneously with the onset of pharyngitis but never after impetigo
Correct answer: B. 1 to 3 weeks after pharyngitis and 3 to 6 weeks after impetigo

Explanation

Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis follows pharyngitis by about 1 to 3 weeks and impetigo by a longer interval of about 3 to 6 weeks, reflecting the time needed for immune complex formation and deposition in glomeruli. Onset within 48 hours would suggest IgA nephropathy with synpharyngitic haematuria rather than post-streptococcal disease. Nephritogenic strains such as M type 12 cause post-pharyngitis disease while M49 is linked to impetigo, but both show a latent period.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 43,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Gram-Positive Bacteria (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Clostridium, Diphtheria) MCQs

See all Gram-Positive Bacteria (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Clostridium, Diphtheria) MCQs →