Parasitology: Trypanosoma cruzi: 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: Trypanosoma cruzi

Sample item

A 45-year-old man from rural South America has dilated cardiomyopathy with conduction block, and dysphagia from a dilated oesophagus. Which organism is the most likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Trypanosoma cruzi

Chronic Chagas disease follows infection with T. cruzi, transmitted by triatomine (reduviid) bug faeces. Years later, destruction of cardiac and enteric neurons causes cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, megaoesophagus and megacolon. Benznidazole or nifurtimox is used in acute and early chronic infection.

Option by option

  • A. Trypanosoma cruzi (correct)

    Correct. Cardiomyopathy with megaoesophagus in a patient from an endemic area indicates T. cruzi.

  • B. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense

    T. brucei gambiense causes sleeping sickness in Africa, with meningoencephalitis.

  • C. Toxoplasma gondii

    Toxoplasma causes congenital or opportunistic CNS disease, not megaoesophagus.

  • D. Leishmania donovani

    Leishmania donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis with fever and splenomegaly.

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.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Trypanosoma cruzi. Chronic Chagas disease follows infection with T.

Why is "Trypanosoma brucei gambiense" not the answer?

T. brucei gambiense causes sleeping sickness in Africa, with meningoencephalitis.

Why is "Toxoplasma gondii" not the answer?

Toxoplasma causes congenital or opportunistic CNS disease, not megaoesophagus.

Why is "Leishmania donovani" not the answer?

Leishmania donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis with fever and splenomegaly.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: Trypanosoma cruzi in Microbiology. cruzi, transmitted by triatomine (reduviid) bug faeces. Years later, destruction of cardiac and enteric neurons causes cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, megaoesophagus and megacolon. Benznidazole or nifurtimox is used in acute and early chronic infection.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: Trypanosoma cruzi?

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.