Parasitology Review Quiz

1. What is the primary cause of Amebiasis?

Gondii

Entamoeba Histolytica

Carinii

Latum

None of the Above

The primary cause of Amebiasis is Entamoeba Histolytica. Amebiasis is an infection caused by this parasitic amoeba. It is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Once inside the body, the amoeba can invade the intestinal wall and cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. If left untreated, it can spread to other organs, such as the liver, causing severe complications.

Explanation

The primary cause of Amebiasis is Entamoeba Histolytica. Amebiasis is an infection caused by this parasitic amoeba. It is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Once inside the body, the amoeba can invade the intestinal wall and cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. If left untreated, it can spread to other organs, such as the liver, causing severe complications.

2. Which of the following is true of Malaria?

Old men and young children do not get Malaria.

You get it from eating undercooked fish.

It is strongly linked to Amoeba Naegleria Fowleri.

Must seek CDC involvement in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Malaria.

It is caused by swimming in warm, fresh water.

Seeking CDC involvement in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Malaria is true because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a reputable organization that provides guidance and expertise in dealing with infectious diseases, including Malaria. They have the necessary resources and knowledge to assist in diagnosing, treating, and managing Malaria effectively. The other options provided in the question are incorrect. Old men and young children can get Malaria, it is not caused by eating undercooked fish, it is not strongly linked to Amoeba Naegleria Fowleri, and it is not caused by swimming in warm, fresh water.

Explanation

Seeking CDC involvement in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Malaria is true because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a reputable organization that provides guidance and expertise in dealing with infectious diseases, including Malaria. They have the necessary resources and knowledge to assist in diagnosing, treating, and managing Malaria effectively. The other options provided in the question are incorrect. Old men and young children can get Malaria, it is not caused by eating undercooked fish, it is not strongly linked to Amoeba Naegleria Fowleri, and it is not caused by swimming in warm, fresh water.

3. Each of the following statements concerning Trichomonas vaginalis is correct EXCEPT:

Vaginalis can be treated effectively with metronidazole

Vaginalis causes bloody diarrhea.

Vaginalis can be diagnosed by visualizing the trophozoite.

Vaginalis is transmitted sexually.

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Explanation

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4. A 13-year-old boy was brought to the emergency room with a prolapsed rectum. Examination of the rectum reveals small worms that resemble whips attached to the mucosa. A stool sample reveals eggs that are barrel-shaped with bipolar plugs. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Giardia lamblia

Enterobius vermicularis

Ascaris lumbricoides

Trichuris trichiura

Entamoeba histolytica

The correct answer is Trichuris trichiura. Trichuris trichiura, also known as whipworm, is a parasitic infection that commonly causes rectal prolapse in children. The worms attach themselves to the mucosa of the rectum and can be visualized during examination. The barrel-shaped eggs with bipolar plugs are characteristic of Trichuris trichiura infection. Giardia lamblia, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Entamoeba histolytica are other parasitic infections that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, but they do not typically present with rectal prolapse or have eggs with the same characteristics as Trichuris trichiura.

Explanation

The correct answer is Trichuris trichiura. Trichuris trichiura, also known as whipworm, is a parasitic infection that commonly causes rectal prolapse in children. The worms attach themselves to the mucosa of the rectum and can be visualized during examination. The barrel-shaped eggs with bipolar plugs are characteristic of Trichuris trichiura infection. Giardia lamblia, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Entamoeba histolytica are other parasitic infections that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, but they do not typically present with rectal prolapse or have eggs with the same characteristics as Trichuris trichiura.

5. A 24-year-old male pt presents to your office with a fever, headache, and lethargy. He has recently returned from a medical mission, which placed him in many underserved African villages. Your physical exam confirms the fever and also reveals significant lymphadenopathy. His girlfriend states she has noticed increased irritability over the past few days. Given the symptoms and history, what is the most likely diagnosis?

American Trypanosomiasis

Sleeping Sickness

Malaria

Toxoplasmosis

Orchitis

The most likely diagnosis for the patient's symptoms and history is Sleeping Sickness. This is indicated by the patient's recent travel to underserved African villages, which are endemic areas for the disease. The symptoms of fever, headache, lethargy, and significant lymphadenopathy are consistent with Sleeping Sickness. Additionally, the girlfriend's report of increased irritability is a common neurological symptom associated with the disease. Therefore, Sleeping Sickness is the most probable diagnosis in this case.

Explanation

The most likely diagnosis for the patient's symptoms and history is Sleeping Sickness. This is indicated by the patient's recent travel to underserved African villages, which are endemic areas for the disease. The symptoms of fever, headache, lethargy, and significant lymphadenopathy are consistent with Sleeping Sickness. Additionally, the girlfriend's report of increased irritability is a common neurological symptom associated with the disease. Therefore, Sleeping Sickness is the most probable diagnosis in this case.

6. What is the most common ectoparasite for cats and dogs?

Fleas

Ticks

Leeches

Earthworm

Fleas are the most common ectoparasite for cats and dogs. They are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of their hosts. Fleas can cause itching, discomfort, and skin allergies in pets. They can also transmit diseases such as Bartonella and tapeworms. Fleas are easily spread between animals and can infest homes, making them a significant nuisance for pet owners. Regular preventive measures, such as flea treatments and maintaining a clean living environment, are essential in controlling flea infestations.

Explanation

Fleas are the most common ectoparasite for cats and dogs. They are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of their hosts. Fleas can cause itching, discomfort, and skin allergies in pets. They can also transmit diseases such as Bartonella and tapeworms. Fleas are easily spread between animals and can infest homes, making them a significant nuisance for pet owners. Regular preventive measures, such as flea treatments and maintaining a clean living environment, are essential in controlling flea infestations.

7. Children at daycare centres in the United States have a high rate of infection with which one of the following?

Necator americanus

Enterobius vermicularis

Entamoeba histolytica

Ascaris lumbricoides

Children at daycare centers in the United States have a high rate of infection with Enterobius vermicularis. This is because Enterobius vermicularis, also known as pinworm, is highly contagious and can easily spread from person to person, especially in close quarters like daycare centers. The eggs of the pinworm are usually ingested through contaminated food or surfaces, and once inside the body, they hatch and mature in the intestines, causing itching and discomfort. Therefore, it is not surprising that this particular parasite is commonly found among children in daycare settings.

Explanation

Children at daycare centers in the United States have a high rate of infection with Enterobius vermicularis. This is because Enterobius vermicularis, also known as pinworm, is highly contagious and can easily spread from person to person, especially in close quarters like daycare centers. The eggs of the pinworm are usually ingested through contaminated food or surfaces, and once inside the body, they hatch and mature in the intestines, causing itching and discomfort. Therefore, it is not surprising that this particular parasite is commonly found among children in daycare settings.

8. The process by which uninfected bugs are allowed to feed on a pts blood, then the gut contents are examined for parasites 4-6 weeks later, is called ____________.

Xenodiagnosis

SPI (Secondary Parasitic Identification)

NIPLE (Non-Invasive Parasitic Larvae Examination)

Parasitic Host-Typing

Goodfellow's Test

Xenodiagnosis is the correct answer because it refers to the process of allowing uninfected bugs to feed on a patient's blood and then examining the bug's gut contents for parasites after a few weeks. This method is used to diagnose parasitic infections by observing the presence of parasites in the bug's gut. The other options, SPI, NIPLE, Parasitic Host-Typing, and Goodfellow's Test, are not relevant to this specific process.

Explanation

Xenodiagnosis is the correct answer because it refers to the process of allowing uninfected bugs to feed on a patient's blood and then examining the bug's gut contents for parasites after a few weeks. This method is used to diagnose parasitic infections by observing the presence of parasites in the bug's gut. The other options, SPI, NIPLE, Parasitic Host-Typing, and Goodfellow's Test, are not relevant to this specific process.

9. Each of the following statements concerning Diphyllobothrium latum is correct EXCEPT:

Latum has operculated eggs.

Latum is transmitted by undercooked fish.

Latum causes megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency

Latum is a tapeworm that has a scolex with a circle of hooks

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Explanation

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10. A 42-year-old pt with AIDS presents to your office with chronic, intractable, debilitating diarrhea. He says it began not long after returning from a camping trip. He admits to drinking water from a stream without using a filter or boiling it. You perform a GSA(Giardia Stool Antigen) test, which comes back negative. What is his likely diagnosis?

Amebiasis

Giardia

Cryptosporidium Parvum

Falciparum

Leishmaniasis

The likely diagnosis for the 42-year-old patient with AIDS who presents with chronic, intractable, debilitating diarrhea is Cryptosporidium Parvum. This is because the patient admits to drinking water from a stream without using a filter or boiling it, which puts him at risk for infection with Cryptosporidium Parvum, a parasitic protozoan that can cause severe diarrhea, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with AIDS. The negative result on the GSA test for Giardia suggests that Giardia is not the cause of the patient's symptoms.

Explanation

The likely diagnosis for the 42-year-old patient with AIDS who presents with chronic, intractable, debilitating diarrhea is Cryptosporidium Parvum. This is because the patient admits to drinking water from a stream without using a filter or boiling it, which puts him at risk for infection with Cryptosporidium Parvum, a parasitic protozoan that can cause severe diarrhea, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with AIDS. The negative result on the GSA test for Giardia suggests that Giardia is not the cause of the patient's symptoms.