Parasitology: Plasmodium ovale morphology: 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: Plasmodium ovale morphology

Sample item

A man returning from West Africa has tertian fever. A Giemsa smear shows slightly enlarged oval red cells with fimbriated edges, Schuffner's dots and compact trophozoites. Which species is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Plasmodium ovale

P. ovale infects enlarged, oval, fimbriated red cells with prominent Schuffner's dots and has compact trophozoites. It resembles P. vivax but the oval, fimbriated host cell and West African origin point to ovale.

Option by option

  • A. Plasmodium vivax

    P. vivax enlarges the red cell but keeps it round, with amoeboid trophozoites.

  • B. Plasmodium falciparum

    P. falciparum leaves red cells of normal size, with ring forms and crescent gametocytes only.

  • C. Plasmodium malariae

    P. malariae infects normal-sized or small cells and shows band forms without stippling.

  • D. Plasmodium ovale (correct)

    Correct. Oval, fimbriated red cells with Schuffner's dots characterise P. ovale.

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 D, Plasmodium ovale. P.

Why is "Plasmodium vivax" not the answer?

P. vivax enlarges the red cell but keeps it round, with amoeboid trophozoites.

Why is "Plasmodium falciparum" not the answer?

P. falciparum leaves red cells of normal size, with ring forms and crescent gametocytes only.

Why is "Plasmodium malariae" not the answer?

P. malariae infects normal-sized or small cells and shows band forms without stippling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: Plasmodium ovale morphology in Microbiology. ovale infects enlarged, oval, fimbriated red cells with prominent Schuffner's dots and has compact trophozoites. It resembles P. vivax but the oval, fimbriated host cell and West African origin point to ovale.

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: Plasmodium ovale morphology?

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.