Parasitology: Strongyloides stercoralis: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Parasitology: Strongyloides stercoralis

Sample item

Why should a patient from an endemic region be evaluated for Strongyloides before prolonged high-dose corticosteroids?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Steroids can precipitate life-threatening hyperinfection

Strongyloides can persist through autoinfection for decades. Corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression can trigger disseminated hyperinfection with pulmonary and gastrointestinal disease and Gram-negative sepsis.

Option by option

  • A. Steroids can precipitate life-threatening hyperinfection (correct)

    Correct. Hyperinfection is a major preventable consequence of steroid exposure.

  • B. It prevents steroid absorption from the gut

    The concern is dissemination, not steroid absorption.

  • C. Steroids eradicate adult worms but not larvae

    Steroids worsen, rather than eradicate, Strongyloides infection.

  • D. The parasite causes immediate anaphylaxis to steroids

    Anaphylaxis is not the reason for screening.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Steroids can precipitate life-threatening hyperinfection. Strongyloides can persist through autoinfection for decades.

Why is "It prevents steroid absorption from the gut" not the answer?

The concern is dissemination, not steroid absorption.

Why is "Steroids eradicate adult worms but not larvae" not the answer?

Steroids worsen, rather than eradicate, Strongyloides infection.

Why is "The parasite causes immediate anaphylaxis to steroids" not the answer?

Anaphylaxis is not the reason for screening.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: Strongyloides stercoralis in Microbiology. Corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression can trigger disseminated hyperinfection with pulmonary and gastrointestinal disease and Gram-negative sepsis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Parasitology: Strongyloides stercoralis?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.