Communicable diseases: primaquine in falciparum malaria: practice question

A PSM 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.

Try it

PSM · Communicable diseases: primaquine in falciparum malaria

Sample item

In an endemic district a patient with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria is treated with artemisinin combination therapy. A single low dose of primaquine is also added on the second day. What is its purpose?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. To kill gametocytes and reduce transmission

P. falciparum does not form hypnozoites, so primaquine is not given for radical cure. A single low dose acts on mature gametocytes, which artemisinins do not reliably kill, and reduces onward transmission to mosquitoes. G6PD status and pregnancy are considered before use.

Option by option

  • A. To kill the asexual blood stages

    The asexual blood stages are killed by artemisinin combination therapy.

  • B. To eradicate hypnozoites and prevent relapse

    Hypnozoites occur in P. vivax and P. ovale, not in P. falciparum.

  • C. To treat severe malaria with cerebral involvement

    Severe malaria needs parenteral artesunate, and a single low dose of primaquine has no role in treating it.

  • D. To kill gametocytes and reduce transmission (correct)

    Correct. A single low dose of primaquine is gametocidal and reduces transmission.

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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, To kill gametocytes and reduce transmission. P.

Why is "To kill the asexual blood stages" not the answer?

The asexual blood stages are killed by artemisinin combination therapy.

Why is "To eradicate hypnozoites and prevent relapse" not the answer?

Hypnozoites occur in P. vivax and P. ovale, not in P. falciparum.

Why is "To treat severe malaria with cerebral involvement" not the answer?

Severe malaria needs parenteral artesunate, and a single low dose of primaquine has no role in treating it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: primaquine in falciparum malaria in PSM. falciparum does not form hypnozoites, so primaquine is not given for radical cure. A single low dose acts on mature gametocytes, which artemisinins do not reliably kill, and reduces onward transmission to mosquitoes. G6PD status and pregnancy are considered before use.

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 Communicable diseases: primaquine in falciparum malaria?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.