Parasitology Practice Questions

Q: Tsetse fly transmits:

Trypanosoma brucei. ***Trypanosoma brucei*** - The **tsetse fly** (genus *Glossina*) is the biological vector for **African trypanosomiasis**, caused by *Trypanosoma brucei*. - This parasite is responsible for **sleeping sickness** in humans and **nagana** in livestock. *T. cruzi* - *Trypanosoma cruzi* is the causative agent of **Chagas disease** (American trypanosomiasis). - It is primarily transmitted by **reduviid bugs** (also known as kissing bugs or assassin bugs), not tsetse flies. *Leishmania donovani* - *Leishmania donovani* causes **visceral leishmaniasis** (kala-azar), a severe systemic infection. - Its transmission occurs through the bite of infected **sandflies**, specifically of the genus *Phlebotomus*. *Leishmania tropica* - *Leishmania tropica* causes **cutaneous leishmaniasis** (oriental sore), a localized skin infection. - Like *L. donovani*, it is transmitted by the bite of infected **sandflies**.

Q: What is the most common route of transmission for Toxoplasma gondii in adults?

Ingestion of undercooked meat containing tissue cysts. ***Ingestion of undercooked meat containing tissue cysts*** - Consuming **undercooked or raw meat** (especially pork and lamb) containing **tissue cysts (bradyzoites)** is the **most common route** of *Toxoplasma gondii* transmission in adults in most countries - These cysts are highly resistant and survive digestion, releasing bradyzoites that cause systemic infection - This accounts for **30-63%** of infections in various populations *Fecal-oral transmission via contaminated cat feces* - Contact with **oocysts** from cat feces (in litter boxes, contaminated soil/water) is an important route - However, it's less common than meat consumption in most developed countries - Oocysts require 1-5 days to sporulate and become infective *Transmission through blood transfusion* - **Rare route** - tachyzoites have short survival in stored blood - Modern screening practices have made this extremely uncommon - Not a significant transmission route in general populations *Congenital transmission from mother to fetus* - Occurs when **primary maternal infection** happens during pregnancy - Important clinically but represents a small proportion of total infections - Does not apply to adult acquisition of infection

Q: Route of transmission of toxoplasmosis is:

Oral. ***Correct: Oral*** - **Primary route of transmission** for toxoplasmosis - Ingestion of **oocysts from cat feces** in contaminated soil, water, or food - Consumption of **undercooked meat** containing tissue cysts (especially pork, lamb, venison) - Ingestion of **contaminated unwashed vegetables or fruits** *Incorrect: Fecal* - Toxoplasmosis is not transmitted by fecal-oral route in the traditional sense (human-to-human) - Only **cat feces contain infective oocysts**, and transmission occurs through oral ingestion, not direct fecal contact *Incorrect: Blood* - Though rare, transmission via **blood transfusion** and **organ transplantation** is documented - Not a common route; screening helps prevent this - The question asks for the primary route *Incorrect: Urine* - Toxoplasma gondii is **not transmitted through urine** - Not a recognized route of transmission **Note:** **Congenital transmission** (transplacental) is another major route, causing severe disease in the fetus when primary maternal infection occurs during pregnancy.

Q: Man is a definitive host of which parasite?

Wuchereria bancrofti. ***Wuchereria bancrofti*** - Humans are the **only definitive host** for *Wuchereria bancrofti*, where adult worms reside in the **lymphatic system** and undergo **sexual reproduction**. - The parasite causes **lymphatic filariasis**, leading to conditions like **elephantiasis** and **hydrocele**. - The **microfilariae** (larval stage) circulate in blood and are transmitted by mosquito vectors (intermediate hosts). *Plasmodium* - Humans are the **intermediate host** for *Plasmodium* species that cause malaria. - The **sexual reproductive cycle** (definitive host stage) occurs in the **Anopheles mosquito**, not in humans. - Humans harbor the **asexual stages** (liver schizonts and blood-stage merozoites). *Taenia solium* - Humans can be **either** the definitive host (harboring adult tapeworms in the intestine) **or** an intermediate host (developing **cysticercosis** from ingesting eggs). - This dual role makes it less representative of a parasite where humans are exclusively the definitive host. *Taenia saginata* - Humans are the **definitive host** for *Taenia saginata* (beef tapeworm) in the small intestine. - However, unlike *Wuchereria bancrofti*, cattle serve as the intermediate host in the life cycle. - *Wuchereria bancrofti* is the more commonly cited example in parasitology for human definitive host status.

Q: Which larvae infect humans by penetrating through the skin?

Ancylostoma duodenale. ***Ancylostoma duodenale*** - The **filariform larvae** (L3) of *Ancylostoma duodenale*, a **hookworm**, are capable of penetrating intact **human skin**, typically through the feet. - This penetration is how the infection initially establishes in the host, leading to a migratory phase through the circulatory and respiratory systems. *Ascaris lumbricoides* - Humans become infected with *Ascaris lumbricoides* by ingesting **embryonated eggs**, usually through contaminated food or water. - The larvae hatch in the small intestine and then embark on a **lung migration phase**, but they do not penetrate the skin to initiate infection. *Trichinella spiralis* - Infection with *Trichinella spiralis* occurs by consuming undercooked meat, particularly **pork**, containing infectious cysts. - The larvae are released in the stomach and small intestine, then migrate throughout the body to encyst in muscle tissue, without a skin penetration stage. *Enterobius vermicularis* - Humans acquire *Enterobius vermicularis* (pinworm) infection by ingesting the **embryonated eggs**, often through **self-ingestion** due to perianal itching or contact with contaminated surfaces. - The life cycle is direct and does not involve larval penetration of the skin.

Q: Which of the following stages of the life cycle of Plasmodium is seen in humans?

Asexual reproduction (Schizogony in humans). ***Asexual reproduction (Schizogony in humans)*** - The **human host** experiences the asexual reproductive cycle of Plasmodium, which involves the formation of **merozoites** through schizogony in both liver cells and red blood cells. - This stage is responsible for the clinical manifestations of **malaria** as red blood cells are lysed, releasing new merozoites and toxins. *Sporogonic phase (mosquito stage)* - The sporogonic phase is a **sexual reproductive stage** that occurs exclusively within the **Anopheles mosquito**, the definitive host. - During this phase, **sporozoites** develop within the oocysts in the mosquito's gut, which are then transmitted to humans. *Oocyst stage (mosquito stage)* - **Oocysts** are formed in the midgut of the **Anopheles mosquito** after the fertilization of male and female gametes. - This stage is crucial for the development of **sporozoites** but does not occur within the human body. *Sexual reproduction (occurs in humans)* - Sexual reproduction, involving the fusion of gametes, takes place in the **mosquito's gut**, not in humans. - In humans, **gametocytes** are formed, which are then ingested by the mosquito to continue the sexual cycle.

Q: Chyluria is due to which of the following?

Filaria. ***Filaria*** - **Filarial infections**, specifically **lymphatic filariasis** caused by parasites like *Wuchereria bancrofti* and *Brugia malayi*, are the most common cause of chyluria worldwide. - These parasites obstruct lymphatic vessels, leading to leakage of **lymphatic fluid (chyle)** into the urinary tract. *Carcinoma* - While tumors can cause lymphatic obstruction, chyluria due to carcinoma is **less common** than filariasis and typically associated with advanced malignancy directly invading or compressing lymphatic drainage. - The primary presentation would likely involve symptoms related to the **underlying cancer**, rather than chyluria as the initial or sole symptom. *Tuberculosis* - **Tuberculosis (TB)** can affect various organ systems, including the lymphatic system, but it is a **rare cause of chyluria**. - If TB were to cause chyluria, it would often be part of a broader presentation of **disseminated TB** or **tuberculous lymphadenitis** involving significant lymphatic obstruction. *Malaria* - **Malaria** is a parasitic disease caused by *Plasmodium* species transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily affecting red blood cells and the liver. - It does **not directly cause chyluria** and is not associated with lymphatic obstruction or leakage of chyle into the urine.

Q: Romana's sign is seen in:

Trypanosoma cruzi. ***Trypanosoma cruzi*** - **Romana's sign** is a characteristic unilateral painless **periorbital swelling** (oedema) that occurs in the acute phase of **Chagas disease**, caused by **Trypanosoma cruzi**. - It is a classic clinical manifestation indicating an **inoculation chagoma** (a localized inflammatory response) due to the parasite entering the body through the conjunctiva, often after being deposited by the **reduviid bug's feces**. *Trypanosoma brucei* - **Trypanosoma brucei** is the causative agent of **African sleeping sickness**, and its bite causes a **tsetse chancre**, not Romana's sign. - The illness is characterized by **fever**, **headaches**, joint pains, and eventually **neurological symptoms** (sleeping sickness) as the parasite invades the central nervous system. *Loa loa* - **Loa loa** causes **loiasis**, characterized by **Calabar swellings** (transient subcutaneous oedema) and the migration of adult worms across the **conjunctiva** (eye worm). - It is transmitted by **deerflies** (Chrysops species) and does not present with Romana's sign. *Wuchereria* - **Wuchereria bancrofti** and **Brugia malayi** cause **lymphatic filariasis**, leading to **lymphoedema** and **elephantiasis**. - These parasites are transmitted by mosquitoes and do not cause Romana's sign.

Q: Which form of the malarial parasite is present in the saliva of an infective mosquito?

Sporozoite. ***Sporozoite*** - **Sporozoites** are the infective stage of the malarial parasite that reside in the **salivary glands** of the *Anopheles* mosquito. - When an infected mosquito bites a human, these **sporozoites** are injected into the bloodstream, initiating the infection. *Ring form* - The **ring form** is an early **trophozoite stage** found within **red blood cells** in the human host, typically seen after the exoerythrocytic cycle. - This stage is not present in the mosquito's saliva. *Schizont* - A **schizont** is a stage of asexual reproduction where the parasite multiplies inside a host cell, such as **liver cells** or **red blood cells**, forming many merozoites. - This stage is part of the human infection cycle, not present in the mosquito's saliva. *Gametocyte* - **Gametocytes** are the sexual stages of the parasite that develop in **human red blood cells** and are ingested by a mosquito during a blood meal. - These forms develop into gametes within the mosquito gut, but gametocytes themselves are not the infective form transmitted to humans.

Q: Cysticercus cellulosae are pathogenic forms of which parasite?

Taenia solium. ***Taenia solium*** - **Cysticercus cellulosae** is the larval stage (metacestode form) of the **pork tapeworm**, *Taenia solium*. - Humans can acquire **cysticercosis** by ingesting *T. solium* eggs, leading to the development of these cysticerci in various tissues, including the muscles, subcutaneous tissue, and central nervous system. *Paragonimus westermani* - This is a **lung fluke**; its larval stage is a metacercaria, not a cysticercus. - It causes **paragonimiasis**, characterized by lung symptoms. *Enterobius vermicularis* - This is the **pinworm**, a nematode, which does not have a cysticercus stage. - It primarily causes **perianal itching** and does not form cysts in tissues. *Taenia saginata* - This is the **beef tapeworm**, and its larval stage is known as a **Cysticercus bovis**, not Cysticercus cellulosae. - Humans acquire *T. saginata* infection by consuming undercooked beef containing C. bovis.

Question 1

Tsetse fly transmits:

Accepted Answer

Trypanosoma brucei

Answer

T. cruzi

Answer

Leishmania donovani

Answer

Leishmania tropica

Question 2

What is the most common route of transmission for Toxoplasma gondii in adults?

Accepted Answer

Ingestion of undercooked meat containing tissue cysts

Answer

Transmission through blood transfusion

Answer

Congenital transmission from mother to fetus

Answer

Fecal-oral transmission via contaminated cat feces

Question 3

Route of transmission of toxoplasmosis is:

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Blood

Answer

Urine

Answer

Respiratory

Question 4

Man is a definitive host of which parasite?

Accepted Answer

Wuchereria bancrofti

Answer

Taenia solium

Answer

Plasmodium

Answer

Taenia saginata

Question 5

Which larvae infect humans by penetrating through the skin?

Accepted Answer

Ancylostoma duodenale

Answer

Ascaris lumbricoides

Answer

Trichinella spiralis

Answer

Enterobius vermicularis

Question 6

Which of the following stages of the life cycle of Plasmodium is seen in humans?

Accepted Answer

Asexual reproduction (Schizogony in humans)

Answer

Sporogonic phase (mosquito stage)

Answer

Oocyst stage (mosquito stage)

Answer

Sexual reproduction (occurs in humans)

Question 7

Chyluria is due to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Filaria

Answer

Carcinoma

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Malaria

Question 8

Romana's sign is seen in:

Accepted Answer

Trypanosoma cruzi

Answer

Trypanosoma brucei

Answer

Loa loa

Answer

Wuchereria

Question 9

Which form of the malarial parasite is present in the saliva of an infective mosquito?

Accepted Answer

Sporozoite

Answer

Ring form

Answer

Schizont

Answer

Gametocyte

Question 10

Cysticercus cellulosae are pathogenic forms of which parasite?

Accepted Answer

Taenia solium

Answer

Paragonimus westermani

Answer

Enterobius vermicularis

Answer

Taenia saginata

Parasitology — MCQs

Parasitology — MCQs

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