Parasitology Practice Questions

Q: The life cycle of filaria in the mosquito is described as:

Cyclodevelopmental. ***Cyclodevelopmental*** - In a **cyclodevelopmental** life cycle, the parasite undergoes essential **developmental changes** within the vector without increasing significantly in number. - This precisely describes the filaria's existence in the mosquito, where microfilariae develop into infective larvae. *Propagative* - A **propagative** life cycle involves the parasite multiplying within the intermediate host or vector. - This is not characteristic of filaria in mosquitoes, as their primary goal is development, not proliferation, within the vector. *Cyclopropagative* - A **cyclopropagative** life cycle involves both **developmental changes** and **multiplication** of the parasite within the vector. - While there is development, significant multiplication does not occur in the mosquito vector for filarial worms, distinguishing it from this type. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because the life cycle of filaria in the mosquito specifically fits the definition of **cyclodevelopmental**. - The other terms describe different patterns of parasite-vector interaction that do not apply here.

Q: Cyclodevelopmental life cycle is seen in:

Filaria. ***Filaria*** - The **cyclodevelopmental life cycle** refers to parasites that undergo **developmental changes** through distinct larval stages within the vector. - Filarial nematodes, such as *Wuchereria bancrofti* and *Brugia malayi*, undergo **developmental transformation** in the mosquito vector: microfilariae (L1) → L2 stage → infective L3 stage. - The L3 larvae then migrate to the mosquito's proboscis and are transmitted to the human host during a blood meal. - This developmental progression through larval stages in the vector characterizes the cyclodevelopmental pattern. *Malaria* - Malaria parasites (*Plasmodium* species) exhibit a **cyclopropagative life cycle** in the mosquito vector. - They undergo both **development** (gametocytes → ookinete → oocyst → sporozoites) and **multiplication** (sporogony produces thousands of sporozoites from one oocyst). - This combination of development with extensive multiplication distinguishes it from purely cyclodevelopmental transmission. *Plague* - Plague is caused by *Yersinia pestis*, transmitted by fleas. - This represents **propagative transmission** where bacteria multiply in the flea's gut but do not undergo developmental stage changes. - The bacteria block the flea's proventriculus, causing mechanical transmission during feeding attempts. *Yellow fever* - Yellow fever virus is transmitted by *Aedes* mosquitoes. - This is a **propagative life cycle** where the virus replicates within the mosquito vector. - Viruses do not undergo morphological developmental stages like parasites, only multiplication through replication.

Q: All of the following are helminthic waterborne disease except?

Giardiasis. ***Giardiasis*** - **Giardiasis** is caused by the **protozoan parasite** *Giardia lamblia*, not a helminth. - It is a true waterborne disease, transmitted through contaminated water. - This is the correct answer as it is NOT a helminthic infection. *Hydatid cyst* - **Hydatid cyst disease** is caused by the larval stage of the **tapeworm** *Echinococcus granulosus*, a helminth. - Primarily transmitted through ingestion of eggs from dog feces (zoonotic), though contaminated water can occasionally serve as a vehicle. *Roundworm* - **Roundworm infection** (ascariasis) is caused by the nematode *Ascaris lumbricoides*, a helminth. - Classified as a soil-transmitted helminth (STH), acquired through ingestion of eggs from contaminated soil; water can occasionally act as a transmission vehicle. *Threadworm* - **Threadworm infection** (enterobiasis/pinworm) is caused by the nematode *Enterobius vermicularis*, a helminth. - Primarily transmitted person-to-person via the fecal-oral route through contaminated hands and fomites; water transmission is uncommon but possible in poor sanitation conditions.

Q: A man on return from East Asia complains of pain in abdomen, jaundice, with increased alkaline phosphatase and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Ultrasound shows blockage in the biliary tree. What could be the cause?

Clonorchis sinensis. ***Clonorchis sinensis*** - This parasitic fluke, common in East Asia, infects the **biliary ducts**, causing **cholangitis**, obstruction, and the symptoms described. - The combination of travel history, abdominal pain, jaundice, increased alkaline phosphatase, and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, along with a blocked biliary tree on ultrasound, is highly suggestive of **clonorchiasis**. *Strongyloides* - This nematode primarily infects the **small intestine** and can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malabsorption. - It does not typically cause biliary obstruction with jaundice and increased alkaline phosphatase. *Fasciola buski* - This fluke primarily infects the **small intestine** and causes symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malabsorption, similar to Strongyloides. - While other Fasciola species (e.g., *F. hepatica*) can affect the biliary tree, *F. buski* is not known for causing biliary obstruction leading to jaundice. *Ancylostoma* - This hookworm primarily causes **iron-deficiency anemia** due to chronic blood loss in the intestines. - It does not typically cause symptoms related to biliary obstruction or jaundice.

Q: A 35-year-old heterosexual patient diagnosed with HIV presents with watery diarrhea. The colonoscopic biopsy is shown below. Which of the following is your most probable diagnosis?

Cryptosporidium. ***Cryptosporidium*** - The image shows numerous **small, round organisms** attached to the **apical/luminal surface** of intestinal epithelial cells, characteristic of **Cryptosporidium** infection in an immunocompromised patient. - In an HIV patient with watery diarrhea, **Cryptosporidiosis** is a well-recognized opportunistic infection. The organisms appear as small basophilic structures lining the brush border of the intestinal epithelium. They are intracellular but extracytoplasmic, residing within a parasitophorous vacuole at the apical surface of enterocytes. *CMV* - **CMV colitis** would show enlarged **cytomegalic cells** (stromal, endothelial, or epithelial) with characteristic large eosinophilic **intranuclear inclusions** surrounded by a clear halo (owl-eye inclusions), along with possible intracytoplasmic inclusions. These features are not present in this image. *Giardia* - **Giardia lamblia** typically appears as teardrop-shaped trophozoites or oval cysts. Trophozoites would be motile in stool samples or adhere to the brush border but are much larger and morphologically distinct from the small round organisms seen in this image. *Microsporidia* - **Microsporidia** are extremely small intracellular parasites that often require special stains (e.g., modified trichrome, Warthin-Starry silver stain) or electron microscopy for definitive identification. They do not produce the characteristic pattern of small round organisms lining the apical epithelial surface seen in this image.

Q: Reduvid bug transmits-

Chagas disease. ***Correct Option: Chagas disease*** - Chagas disease, or **American trypanosomiasis**, is caused by the parasite **Trypanosoma cruzi**, which is transmitted to humans by the fecal contamination from the **triatomine bug** (reduviid bug or "kissing bug"). - The bug typically bites on the face during sleep, defecating nearby, and the parasite enters the body when the person rubs the feces into the bite wound, mucous membranes, or eyes. *Incorrect Option: Trench fever* - Trench fever is caused by the bacterium **Bartonella quintana** and is transmitted by the **human body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis)**, not the reduviid bug. - Symptoms include recurrent fever, headache, and shin pain, common during wartime conditions. *Incorrect Option: Relapsing fever* - Relapsing fever is caused by various species of **Borrelia bacteria** and is transmitted by **ticks (tick-borne relapsing fever)** or **lice (louse-borne relapsing fever)**. - It is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, headache, muscle, and joint aches, with asymptomatic periods in between. *Incorrect Option: Kala-azar* - Kala-azar, or **visceral leishmaniasis**, is caused by **Leishmania donovani** and is transmitted by the bite of infected **sandflies (Phlebotomus argentipes in India)**. - It is a systemic disease affecting internal organs like the spleen, liver, and bone marrow, leading to fever, weight loss, and hepatosplenomegaly.

Q: Chagas disease is transmitted by the following:

Kissing bugs. ***Kissing bugs*** - Chagas disease is primarily transmitted by the feces of infected **triatomine bugs**, commonly known as **kissing bugs**, which typically feed at night. - These bugs transmit the parasite *Trypanosoma cruzi* when they defecate near the bite wound or mucous membranes. *Birds* - Birds are not known vectors for the transmission of **Chagas disease**. - While some birds can carry other diseases, they do not carry the **triatomine bug** or the *Trypanosoma cruzi* parasite. *Tsetse flies* - **Tsetse flies** are the primary vectors for **African trypanosomiasis** (sleeping sickness), caused by *Trypanosoma brucei*. - They are not involved in the transmission of **Chagas disease** (*Trypanosoma cruzi*). *Dogs* - While dogs can be reservoirs for the *Trypanosoma cruzi* parasite and can become infected with **Chagas disease**, they are not directly responsible for transmitting the disease to humans. - Transmission to dogs and humans occurs through the bite of an infected **kissing bug**.

Q: Reduviid bug is a vector for the transmission of:

Chagas disease. ***Chagas disease*** - Reduviid bugs, specifically the **Triatominae subfamily (kissing bugs)**, are the vectors for the transmission of **Trypanosoma cruzi**, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. - The parasite is transmitted through the bug's feces, which are often deposited on the skin near the bite site, and then rubbed into the wound or mucous membranes. *Relapsing fever* - Relapsing fever is primarily transmitted by **soft ticks (Ornithodoros species)**, for the endemic form, or by **lice (Pediculus humanus humanus)** for the epidemic form. - The causative agents are spirochetes from the genus **Borrelia**. *Scrub typhus* - Scrub typhus is transmitted by the larvae of **chigger mites (trombiculid mites)**, specifically those belonging to the genus Leptotrombidium. - The causative agent is **Orientia tsutsugamushi**. *Lyme disease* - Lyme disease is transmitted by **hard ticks** from the genus **Ixodes**, commonly known as deer ticks or black-legged ticks. - The causative agent is the spirochete **Borrelia burgdorferi**.

Q: Chiggerosis is due to

Chigger. ***Chigger (Trombiculid mite larva)*** - **Chiggerosis**, also known as **trombiculosis**, is an intensely itchy dermatitis caused by the bite of the larval stage of **trombiculid mites**. - These larvae attach to the skin, inject digestive enzymes, and feed on liquefied tissue, causing characteristic **pruritic red papules**. *Louse* - **Lice** (e.g., *Pediculus humanus* or *Pthirus pubis*) cause **pediculosis**, characterized by pruritus, excoriations, and nits attached to hair shafts. - Their bites are typically small, red papules, but do not produce the intense, persistent inflammatory reaction associated with chigger bites. *Tick* - **Ticks** are larger arachnids that burrow their mouthparts into the skin to feed on blood, which can transmit various **pathogens** (e.g., Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever). - While tick bites can cause localized irritation, they do not typically result in the widespread, intensely itchy rash seen in chiggerosis. *Bed bug* - **Bed bugs** (*Cimex lectularius*) are nocturnal insects that feed on human blood, typically producing small, **itchy red welts** often arranged in a linear pattern ("breakfast, lunch, and dinner"). - The rash is distinct from chiggerosis, which presents as highly inflammatory, localized papules often found in skin folds or tight clothing areas.

Q: What type of life cycle does the malaria parasite exhibit?

Cyclopropagative. ***Cyclopropagative*** - The malaria parasite (Plasmodium) exhibits a **cyclopropagative life cycle** where it undergoes both **developmental changes** and **multiplication** within the mosquito vector. - In the mosquito, the parasite undergoes **sporogony**: gametocytes → gametes → zygote → ookinete → oocyst → **thousands of sporozoites**, demonstrating both morphological development and significant numerical increase. - This is the **standard classification** found in parasitology textbooks for arthropod-borne parasites that both develop and multiply in their vectors. *Cyclodevelopmental* - A **cyclodevelopmental life cycle** involves development and morphological changes within the vector but **without significant multiplication**. - Example: **Filarial worms** (Wuchereria bancrofti) develop through larval stages (L1→L2→L3) in mosquitoes but do not multiply significantly. - While malaria parasites do undergo developmental changes, they also undergo **massive multiplication** (one oocyst produces thousands of sporozoites), making cyclopropagative the correct term. *Propagative* - A **propagative life cycle** involves only **multiplication** within the vector without significant developmental or morphological changes. - Example: **Trypanosomes** multiply by binary fission in the tsetse fly without major morphological transformation. - This does not apply to malaria parasites, which undergo distinct **developmental stages** (sexual reproduction, ookinete formation, sporogony) in addition to multiplication. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because the malaria parasite life cycle is accurately described as **cyclopropagative**. - The combination of both developmental stages and multiplication in the mosquito vector is a defining characteristic of the Plasmodium life cycle.

Question 1

The life cycle of filaria in the mosquito is described as:

Accepted Answer

Cyclodevelopmental

Answer

Propagative

Answer

Cyclopropagative

Answer

None of the options

Question 2

Cyclodevelopmental life cycle is seen in:

Accepted Answer

Filaria

Answer

Malaria

Answer

Plague

Answer

Yellow fever

Question 3

All of the following are helminthic waterborne disease except?

Accepted Answer

Giardiasis

Answer

Hydatid cyst

Answer

Roundworm

Answer

Threadworm

Question 4

A man on return from East Asia complains of pain in abdomen, jaundice, with increased alkaline phosphatase and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Ultrasound shows blockage in the biliary tree. What could be the cause?

Accepted Answer

Clonorchis sinensis

Answer

Strongyloides

Answer

Fasciola buski

Answer

Ancylostoma

Question 5

A 35-year-old heterosexual patient diagnosed with HIV presents with watery diarrhea. The colonoscopic biopsy is shown below. Which of the following is your most probable diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Cryptosporidium

Answer

Microsporidia

Answer

CMV

Answer

Giardia

Question 6

Reduvid bug transmits-

Accepted Answer

Chagas disease

Answer

Trench fever

Answer

Relapsing fever

Answer

Kala-azar

Question 7

Chagas disease is transmitted by the following:

Accepted Answer

Kissing bugs

Answer

Birds

Answer

Tsetse flies

Answer

Dogs

Question 8

Reduviid bug is a vector for the transmission of:

Accepted Answer

Chagas disease

Answer

Relapsing fever

Answer

Scrub typhus

Answer

Lyme disease

Question 9

Chiggerosis is due to

Accepted Answer

Chigger

Answer

Louse

Answer

Tick

Answer

Bed bug

Question 10

What type of life cycle does the malaria parasite exhibit?

Accepted Answer

Cyclopropagative

Answer

None of the options

Answer

Cyclodevelopmental

Answer

Propagative

Parasitology — MCQs

Parasitology — MCQs

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