Parasitology: 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

Sample item

A patient treated with chloroquine for Plasmodium vivax malaria recovers, but fever with parasitaemia recurs eight months later without any travel. What is the explanation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Relapse from dormant hypnozoites in the liver

Plasmodium vivax and ovale form hypnozoites in hepatocytes that can reactivate months later. Chloroquine acts on erythrocytic stages only, so radical cure needs a tissue schizonticide such as primaquine.

Option by option

  • A. Development of resistance by the sporozoites

    Resistance is a property of blood stage parasites and does not explain a late recurrence of this type.

  • B. Recrudescence from persisting erythrocytic parasites

    Recrudescence arises from surviving blood forms after inadequate treatment, usually within weeks and typically in falciparum malaria.

  • C. Relapse from dormant hypnozoites in the liver (correct)

    Correct. Liver hypnozoites reactivate, and are eradicated by primaquine.

  • D. Fresh infection through a transfusion

    No exposure through transfusion or travel is described, so a fresh infection is not the most likely cause.

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 C, Relapse from dormant hypnozoites in the liver. Plasmodium vivax and ovale form hypnozoites in hepatocytes that can reactivate months later.

Why is "Development of resistance by the sporozoites" not the answer?

Resistance is a property of blood stage parasites and does not explain a late recurrence of this type.

Why is "Recrudescence from persisting erythrocytic parasites" not the answer?

Recrudescence arises from surviving blood forms after inadequate treatment, usually within weeks and typically in falciparum malaria.

Why is "Fresh infection through a transfusion" not the answer?

No exposure through transfusion or travel is described, so a fresh infection is not the most likely cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology in Microbiology. Chloroquine acts on erythrocytic stages only, so radical cure needs a tissue schizonticide such as primaquine.

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?

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.