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Difficulty: EasyInfectious Diseases

Match the following classic dermatological findings with the infectious disease they most accurately represent.

  • An expanding, erythematous, annular plaque with central clearing (targetoid appearance).Lyme disease
  • A blanching, maculopapular rash that classically originates on the wrists and ankles before spreading centrally to the trunk.Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • A painful, vesicular eruption distributed unilaterally along a single thoracic dermatome.Herpes zoster
  • A confluent, erythematous, 'slapped cheek' facial appearance followed by a lacy, reticular rash on the extremities and trunk.Erythema infectiosum

Answer

The correct matches are: Erythema migrans with Lyme disease, centripetal maculopapular rash with Rocky Mountain spotted fever, dermatomal vesicular rash with Herpes zoster, and the 'slapped cheek' appearance with Erythema infectiosum.
Each of these dermatological findings is a classic, highly specific manifestation of its respective infectious disease. Recognizing these visual patterns allows clinicians to promptly initiate targeted therapy (e.g., doxycycline for Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever) often before confirmatory laboratory results are available.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the targetoid (bull's-eye) rash description.
Identified as erythema migrans, matching Lyme disease.
Erythema migrans is the hallmark clinical sign of early Lyme disease, allowing for a clinical diagnosis without initial serologic testing.
2
Analyze the rash starting on the wrists and ankles and spreading centrally.
Identified as the classic rash pattern for Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
This distinct centripetal pattern (extremities to trunk) is a key diagnostic clue for Rickettsia rickettsii infection.
3
Analyze the unilateral, painful, vesicular rash in a single dermatome.
Identified as shingles, matching Herpes zoster.
Varicella-zoster virus remains latent in nerve ganglia and its reactivation strictly follows dermatomal lines, not crossing the midline.
4
Analyze the 'slapped cheek' rash followed by a reticular pattern.
Identified as Fifth disease, matching Erythema infectiosum.
This biphasic rash pattern in a child is pathognomonic for Parvovirus B19 infection.

Key Concept

Recognition of classic dermatological manifestations of infectious diseases.
Estimated Time:45s
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Infectious Diseases

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