Common Parasitic Infections: Learn and Master Parasitology

Question 1

The definitive diagnostic test for Schistosoma mansoni infection is:

Accepted Answer

Microscopic examination of stool for parasite eggs

Answer

Serological testing for antibodies

Answer

Imaging techniques (e.g., ultrasound)

Answer

Biopsy of infected tissue

Question 2

Which of the following is the intermediate host for Taenia solium?

Accepted Answer

Pigs

Answer

Humans

Answer

Cattle

Answer

Snails

Question 3

The preferred medication for treating active toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is:

Accepted Answer

Sulfadiazine

Answer

Pyrimethamine

Answer

Clindamycin

Answer

Artemisinin

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a clinical manifestation of giardiasis?

Accepted Answer

Skin rash

Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Abdominal cramps

Answer

Weight loss

Question 5

The most prevalent mode of transmission for lymphatic filariasis is:

Accepted Answer

Mosquito bite

Answer

Tick bite

Answer

Ingestion of contaminated water

Answer

Contact with infected soil

Question 6

Which of the following diagnostic tests detects antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii?

Accepted Answer

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer

Microscopic examination of blood

Answer

Culture of parasite from tissue samples

Question 7

Which of the following is a common clinical manifestation of hookworm infection, a type of parasitic infection caused by worms that attach to the intestinal wall?

Accepted Answer

Iron-deficiency anemia

Answer

Dermatitis

Answer

Hepatosplenomegaly

Answer

Pulmonary edema

Question 8

What is the primary diagnostic tool for confirming cerebral malaria, a severe form of malaria that affects the brain?

Accepted Answer

Cerebrospinal fluid examination

Answer

Peripheral blood smear

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Abdominal ultrasound

Question 9

Which of the following medications is NOT typically used in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection characterized by fever, weight loss, and enlargement of the spleen and liver?

Accepted Answer

Chloroquine

Answer

Sodium stibogluconate

Answer

Pentamidine

Answer

Amphotericin B

Question 10

According to the current guidelines for the United Kingdom, which drug combination is recommended as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum?

Accepted Answer

Artemether-lumefantrine

Answer

Quinine

Answer

Chloroquine

Answer

Mefloquine

Question 11

Which factor plays the most significant role in the prevalence and spread of parasitic infections?

Accepted Answer

Climate and environmental conditions

Answer

Host susceptibility and immune response

Answer

Availability of diagnostic tools

Answer

Accessibility of treatment options

Question 12

For a definitive diagnosis of malaria, which test is considered the gold standard?

Accepted Answer

Microscopic examination of thick and thin blood films

Answer

Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria antigens

Answer

Serological testing for antibodies against malaria parasites

Answer

Molecular techniques like PCR for parasite DNA detection

Question 13

The intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni is a:

Accepted Answer

Snail

Answer

Mosquito

Answer

Tsetse fly

Answer

Sand fly

Question 14

Which diagnostic test is primarily used to detect Taenia solium infection?

Accepted Answer

Microscopic examination of stool samples

Answer

Serological tests

Answer

Imaging techniques

Answer

Biopsy

Question 15

The definitive host for Ascaris lumbricoides is:

Accepted Answer

Humans

Answer

Pigs

Answer

Dogs

Answer

Snails

Question 16

The causative agent of African sleeping sickness is:

Accepted Answer

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense

Answer

Trypanosoma cruzi

Answer

Leishmania donovani

Answer

Plasmodium ovale

Question 17

The vector for onchocerciasis (river blindness) is a:

Accepted Answer

Black fly

Answer

Tsetse fly

Answer

Sand fly

Answer

Mosquito

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a zoonotic parasitic infection?

Accepted Answer

Toxoplasmosis

Answer

Giardiasis

Answer

Amebiasis

Answer

Cryptosporidiosis

Question 19

A 25-year-old student returns from Southeast Asia with fever, headache, and muscle aches. A blood smear reveals ring-shaped structures within red blood cells. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Malaria

Answer

Toxoplasmosis

Answer

Giardiasis

Answer

Amoebiasis

Question 20

Which parasitic infection is most likely to cause iron deficiency anemia due to intestinal blood loss?

Accepted Answer

Hookworm infection

Answer

Trichuriasis

Answer

Ascariasis

Answer

Enterobiasis

Question 21

A 30-year-old woman presents with chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Colonoscopy reveals granulomatous inflammation and eggs in the intestinal mucosa. Which of the following is the most likely causative agent?

Accepted Answer

Schistosoma mansoni

Answer

Entamoeba histolytica

Answer

Cryptosporidium parvum

Answer

Giardia lamblia

Question 22

What is the primary mode of transmission for Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) infection?

Accepted Answer

Ingestion of undercooked pork containing larval cysts

Answer

Mosquito bite

Answer

Direct contact with infected individuals

Answer

Contact with contaminated water

Question 23

A patient presents with seizures and neurological symptoms. Imaging reveals cystic lesions in the brain. The patient regularly consumes raw pork. Which parasitic infection is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Cysticercosis

Answer

Echinococcosis

Answer

Amebic meningoencephalitis

Answer

Toxoplasmosis

Question 24

What is the drug of choice for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria?

Accepted Answer

Artemether-lumefantrine

Answer

Metronidazole

Answer

Praziquantel

Answer

Albendazole

Question 25

Which parasitic infection can be diagnosed by examining a stool sample for eggs and proglottids?

Accepted Answer

Taeniasis

Answer

Amoebiasis

Answer

Malaria

Answer

Leishmaniasis

Question 26

Which vector is responsible for transmitting Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease?

Accepted Answer

Triatomine bugs (kissing bugs)

Answer

Anopheles mosquitoes

Answer

Tsetse flies

Answer

Sandflies

Question 27

Which of the following is a common clinical manifestation of lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti?

Accepted Answer

Lymphedema

Answer

Meningoencephalitis

Answer

Hepatomegaly

Answer

Myocarditis

Question 28

What is the mechanism of action of praziquantel, a drug used to treat schistosomiasis and other trematode infections?

Accepted Answer

Increases permeability of the parasite cell membrane to calcium, leading to paralysis

Answer

Interferes with protein synthesis in the parasite

Answer

Inhibits the parasite's energy metabolism

Answer

Inhibits DNA synthesis in the parasite