Infectious Diseases Practice Questions

Q: The kit shown in the picture is used for treatment of:

Leprosy. ***Leprosy*** - The pictured blister pack is a characteristic "MDT blister pack" or **Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) kit**, specifically designed for the treatment of **leprosy**. - These packs contain the combination of **dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine**, pre-sorted for daily or monthly administration to simplify treatment and improve adherence. *Tuberculosis* - While tuberculosis also uses multi-drug therapy, the **kit's specific layout and combination of drugs** are not typical for standard TB treatment regimens. - TB drug regimens usually involve drugs like isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, often packaged differently. *Malaria* - Treatment for malaria involves **antimalarial drugs** (e.g., chloroquine, artemisinin-based combination therapies), which are packaged and administered in a manner distinct from the pictured leprosy MDT kit. - The drug types and administration schedule would differ significantly. *HIV* - HIV treatment (Antiretroviral Therapy or ART) involves a combination of **antiretroviral drugs**, which are typically packaged in daily dose combinations but **do not resemble the specific leprosy MDT kit** in appearance or the types of medications included. - ART regimens are highly varied and personalized based on viral load and resistance profiles.

Q: The kit shown here is used for evaluation of which of the following? (AIIMS Nov 2017)

Lower abdominal pain (PID). ***Lower abdominal pain (PID)*** - The kit shown contains a speculum and endocervical sampling equipment used in evaluating suspected **Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)** in women. - These instruments allow for direct visualization of the cervix and collection of endocervical specimens to assess for signs of upper genital tract infection characteristic of PID. *Urethral or anorectal discharge* - Discharge syndrome kits contain different antibiotic combinations, typically **azithromycin** or **ceftriaxone** for shorter durations (single dose or 7 days maximum). - These kits are specifically labeled for **urethral discharge syndrome** and would not be appropriate for managing lower abdominal pain or PID. *Inguinal bubo* - **Inguinal bubo** syndrome requires specific management for **lymphogranuloma venereum** or **chancroid** with antibiotics like doxycycline for 21 days. - NACO has separate kits for bubo syndrome that include specific instructions for **lymph node management** and longer antibiotic courses. *Genital ulcer (Non-herpetic)* - **Genital ulcer syndrome** kits contain antibiotics targeting **syphilis** and **chancroid**, typically including **benzathine penicillin** or **azithromycin**. - These kits are specifically designed for ulcerative lesions and would not address the **ascending pelvic infection** characteristic of PID.

Q: A sexually active adult presents with an acute, painful, unilateral groin swelling. Examination shows enlarged, tender, fluctuant inguinal lymph nodes; a preceding genital ulcer may have already healed. Under the NACO syndromic approach to STI/RTI management, which syndrome does this presentation represent?

Inguinal bubo syndrome. This presentation is characteristic of inguinal bubo syndrome. A bubo is a markedly enlarged, tender, and sometimes fluctuant regional lymph node, usually in the groin, associated with sexually transmitted infections such as lymphogranuloma venereum or chancroid. Herpetic genital ulcer disease primarily causes painful grouped vesicles or ulcers; urethral discharge syndrome presents with urethral discharge and dysuria; and lower abdominal pain syndrome is used for suspected pelvic inflammatory disease.

Q: The following leprosy kit is used for management of:

PB adult treatment. ***PB adult treatment*** - The blister pack contains only **two drugs**: **Rifampicin (red capsules)** and **Dapsone (white tablets)**, which is characteristic of the **PB (paucibacillary) regimen** for adults. - The **absence of Clofazimine** (light brown tablets) confirms this is a **PB treatment kit**, as MB regimens always include Clofazimine as the third drug. *PB child treatment* - While PB child treatment also uses **Rifampicin and Dapsone**, the dosages would be **lower** (Rifampicin 450mg monthly, Dapsone 50mg daily) compared to adult doses. - The tablet quantities and packaging size in the image suggest **adult dosing** rather than pediatric formulations. *MB child treatment* - **MB (multibacillary) regimens** require **three drugs**: Rifampicin, Dapsone, and **Clofazimine**, which is clearly **absent** from this blister pack. - Child MB treatment would use **reduced doses** of all three medications based on body weight. *MB adult treatment* - **MB adult treatment** includes **Clofazimine (300mg monthly + 50mg daily)** as the third essential drug, which is **not present** in this kit. - MB regimens are used for **12 months** duration, while this PB kit is designed for **6 months** treatment duration.

Q: A housefly transmits any infectious agent by which of the following methods, most commonly?

Mechanical transmission. ***Mechanical transmission (Correct Answer)*** - Houseflies are **classic mechanical vectors** that transmit pathogens through physical transfer. - They pick up pathogens on their **legs, proboscis, or body hairs** from contaminated sources (feces, garbage) and physically transport them to food or other surfaces. - This method involves **no biological multiplication or development** of the pathogen within the fly. - Common diseases transmitted: **Typhoid, cholera, dysentery, diarrheal diseases, trachoma**. *Propagative transmission (Incorrect)* - This involves the **multiplication** of the pathogen within the vector, but no developmental changes. - Houseflies do **not** support pathogen multiplication in their bodies. - Example of this type: Mosquitoes transmitting **arboviruses** like dengue or Zika. *Cyclo-propagative transmission (Incorrect)* - The pathogen undergoes both **multiplication and developmental changes** within the vector. - Houseflies are **not biological vectors** and cannot support this process. - Classic example: **Malarial parasite** (Plasmodium) in Anopheles mosquitoes. *Cyclo-developmental transmission (Incorrect)* - The pathogen undergoes **developmental changes** within the vector but does not multiply. - Houseflies do **not** serve as intermediate hosts for pathogen development. - Example: **Filarial worms** in mosquitoes developing into infective larvae.

Q: Which of the following mosquito-borne diseases are transmitted chiefly by Aedes mosquito ? 1. Dengue 2. West Nile fever 3. Yellow fever 4. Zika fever Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 3 and 4. ***1, 3 and 4*** - **Dengue**, **Yellow fever**, and **Zika fever** are all primarily transmitted by the *Aedes* mosquito, especially *Aedes aegypti* and *Aedes albopictus*. - These mosquitoes are known for biting during the day and thrive in urbanized environments. *1 and 3 only* - This option is incomplete as **Zika fever** is also transmitted by *Aedes* mosquitoes. - Excluding Zika fever makes this option incorrect, as Zika's primary vector is well-established as *Aedes*. *1, 2 and 3* - **West Nile fever** is primarily transmitted by *Culex* mosquitoes, not *Aedes*. - Therefore, its inclusion invalidates this option because *Aedes* is not the chief vector for West Nile fever. *2 and 4 only* - This option is incorrect because **West Nile fever** is not primarily transmitted by *Aedes* mosquitoes. - Moreover, it omits **Dengue** and **Yellow fever**, which are classic examples of *Aedes*-borne diseases.

Q: In which one of the following diseases, the transmission chain is 'Man-Snail-Man' ?

Schistosomiasis. ***Schistosomiasis*** - The transmission cycle for **schistosomiasis** involves humans as the definitive host and **snails** as the intermediate host. - Eggs are passed in human feces or urine, hatch in freshwater to **miracidia**, which then infect snails. Snails release **cercariae** that penetrate human skin, completing the 'Man-Snail-Man' chain. *Malaria* - The transmission chain for **malaria** is typically 'Man-Mosquito-Man', where Anopheles mosquitoes serve as the vector. - There is no involvement of **snails** in the life cycle of the Plasmodium parasite. *Onchocerciasis* - **Onchocerciasis**, or river blindness, is transmitted by the bite of infected blackflies (Simulium species). - The life cycle involves microfilariae maturing into adult worms in the human host, with blackflies as the **arthropod vector**. *Fish tapeworm* - The **fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum)** has a complex life cycle involving copepods (crustaceans) and fish as intermediate hosts. - Humans become infected by consuming raw or undercooked infected fish, not through **snail** involvement.

Q: Which of the following statements are correct regarding Chikungunya fever ? 1. It is usually transmitted by Culex mosquito. 2. A safe and effective vaccine is available for commercial use. 3. Incubation period is 4 - 7 days. 4. One of the prominent symptoms is arthropathy. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

3 and 4 only. ***3 and 4 only*** - The incubation period for Chikungunya fever is typically **3-7 days**, with a range of 2-12 days, making 4-7 days a correct estimate. - **Arthropathy** (severe joint pain and swelling) is a hallmark symptom of Chikungunya fever, often presenting with polyarthralgia that can be debilitating and chronic. *1 and 4 only* - Chikungunya fever is primarily transmitted by **Aedes mosquitoes** (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), not Culex mosquitoes. - While arthropathy (statement 4) is a correct symptom, the transmission by Culex mosquito (statement 1) is incorrect. *2 and 3 only* - As of now, there is **no commercially available safe and effective vaccine** for Chikungunya fever, although several are in clinical trials. - While the incubation period (statement 3) is correct, the absence of a commercially available vaccine (statement 2) makes this option incorrect. *1 and 2 only* - Chikungunya is transmitted by **Aedes mosquitoes**, not Culex mosquitoes. - There is currently **no licensed vaccine** for Chikungunya available for widespread commercial use.

Q: A water body was inspected to look for the presence of mosquito eggs. It was observed that there were boat-shaped eggs, laid singly, not in clusters. The eggs also had lateral floats. Which one of the following diseases is most likely to be spread by the mosquito whose eggs were found ?

Malaria. ***Malaria*** - The description of **boat-shaped eggs**, laid singly, and possessing **lateral floats** is characteristic of the *Anopheles* mosquito. - *Anopheles* mosquitoes are the primary vectors for **malaria**, transmitting *Plasmodium* parasites to humans. *Dengue fever* - Dengue fever is primarily transmitted by the *Aedes* mosquito, which lays **single, oval-shaped eggs** on water surfaces, typically in domestic containers. - These eggs lack the **boat shape** and **lateral floats** seen with *Anopheles*. *Japanese encephalitis* - Japanese encephalitis is mainly spread by *Culex* mosquitoes, which lay their eggs in **rafts** on the surface of water. - Their eggs are not boat-shaped or laid singly with lateral floats. *Chikungunya fever* - Chikungunya fever is transmitted by *Aedes* mosquitoes (similar to dengue), which lay their eggs **singly** on the sides of containers above the water line. - The eggs are **oval** and do not have the distinct boat-shape or lateral floats of *Anopheles*.

Q: The National AIDS Control Organization provides prepacked colour-coded STI/RTI kits as a free supply to its designated STI/RTI clinics. Consider the following pairs: Pair No Colour codes STI/RTI conditions 1 Red Urethral discharge 2 Green Vaginitis 3 White Inguinal bubo How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Only one pair. ***Only one pair*** - Pair 2 (Green - Vaginitis) is **correctly matched** because Green kit is designated for vaginal discharge syndrome, which includes common causes of vaginitis, according to NACO STI/RTI syndromic management guidelines - Pair 1 (Red - Urethral discharge) is **incorrectly matched** because the Grey kit is used for urethral discharge, not Red - Pair 3 (White - Inguinal bubo) is **incorrectly matched** because the Yellow kit is used for inguinal bubo, not White - **NACO color-coded kits**: Grey (urethral discharge), Green (vaginal discharge syndrome/vaginitis), White (non-herpetic genital ulcer disease), Red (lower abdominal pain), Yellow (inguinal bubo) - Only one out of three pairs is correctly matched *Only two of the pairs* - This is incorrect as only Pair 2 (Green-Vaginitis) is correctly matched - Pair 1 is incorrect because Grey kit is for urethral discharge, not Red - Pair 3 is incorrect because Yellow kit is for inguinal bubo, not White *All the pairs* - This is incorrect because only Pair 2 (Green-Vaginitis) is correctly matched - Grey kit is for urethral discharge; Yellow kit is for inguinal bubo *None of the pairs* - This is incorrect as Pair 2 (Green-Vaginitis) is correctly matched according to NACO guidelines - Green kit is indeed designated for vaginal discharge syndrome including vaginitis

Question 1

The kit shown in the picture is used for treatment of:

Accepted Answer

Leprosy

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Malaria

Answer

HIV

Question 2

The kit shown here is used for evaluation of which of the following? (AIIMS Nov 2017)

Accepted Answer

Lower abdominal pain (PID)

Answer

Inguinal bubo

Answer

Genital ulcer (Non-herpetic)

Answer

Urethral or anorectal discharge

Question 3

A sexually active adult presents with an acute, painful, unilateral groin swelling. Examination shows enlarged, tender, fluctuant inguinal lymph nodes; a preceding genital ulcer may have already healed. Under the NACO syndromic approach to STI/RTI management, which syndrome does this presentation represent?

Accepted Answer

Inguinal bubo syndrome

Answer

Genital ulcer disease—herpetic

Answer

Urethral discharge syndrome

Answer

Lower abdominal pain syndrome

Question 4

The following leprosy kit is used for management of:

Accepted Answer

PB adult treatment

Answer

PB child treatment

Answer

MB child treatment

Answer

MB adult treatment

Question 5

A housefly transmits any infectious agent by which of the following methods, most commonly?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical transmission

Answer

Propagative transmission

Answer

Cyclo-propagative transmission

Answer

Cyclo-developmental transmission

Question 6

Which of the following mosquito-borne diseases are transmitted chiefly by Aedes mosquito ?

1. Dengue
2. West Nile fever
3. Yellow fever
4. Zika fever

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

2 and 4 only

Question 7

In which one of the following diseases, the transmission chain is 'Man-Snail-Man' ?

Accepted Answer

Schistosomiasis

Answer

Malaria

Answer

Onchocerciasis

Answer

Fish tapeworm

Question 8

Which of the following statements are correct regarding Chikungunya fever ?

1. It is usually transmitted by Culex mosquito.
2. A safe and effective vaccine is available for commercial use.
3. Incubation period is 4 - 7 days.
4. One of the prominent symptoms is arthropathy.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Accepted Answer

3 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 4 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Question 9

A water body was inspected to look for the presence of mosquito eggs. It was observed that there were boat-shaped eggs, laid singly, not in clusters. The eggs also had lateral floats. Which one of the following diseases is most likely to be spread by the mosquito whose eggs were found ?

Accepted Answer

Malaria

Answer

Dengue fever

Answer

Japanese encephalitis

Answer

Chikungunya fever

Question 10

The National AIDS Control Organization provides prepacked colour-coded STI/RTI kits as a free supply to its designated STI/RTI clinics. Consider the following pairs: Pair No Colour codes STI/RTI conditions 1 Red Urethral discharge 2 Green Vaginitis 3 White Inguinal bubo How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one pair

Answer

None of the pairs

Answer

Only two of the pairs

Answer

All the pairs

Infectious Diseases — MCQs

Infectious Diseases — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?