Infectious diseases: malaria smear morphology: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Infectious diseases: malaria smear morphology

Sample item

A peripheral smear shows crescent or banana-shaped gametocytes. Which species is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Plasmodium falciparum

Banana-shaped gametocytes are diagnostic of P. falciparum. P. vivax and P. ovale show Schuffner dots and enlarged infected red cells, and P. malariae shows band forms. Multiply infected cells with accole forms are also typical of falciparum.

Option by option

  • A. Plasmodium vivax

    P. vivax shows Schuffner dots and amoeboid trophozoites.

  • B. Plasmodium ovale

    P. ovale shows oval infected cells with fimbriated edges.

  • C. Plasmodium malariae

    P. malariae shows band forms and rosette schizonts.

  • D. Plasmodium falciparum (correct)

    Correct. Crescentic gametocytes indicate falciparum.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Plasmodium falciparum. Banana-shaped gametocytes are diagnostic of P.

Why is "Plasmodium vivax" not the answer?

P. vivax shows Schuffner dots and amoeboid trophozoites.

Why is "Plasmodium ovale" not the answer?

P. ovale shows oval infected cells with fimbriated edges.

Why is "Plasmodium malariae" not the answer?

P. malariae shows band forms and rosette schizonts.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: malaria smear morphology in General Medicine. falciparum. P. vivax and P. ovale show Schuffner dots and enlarged infected red cells, and P. malariae shows band forms. Multiply infected cells with accole forms are also typical of falciparum.

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 Infectious diseases: malaria smear morphology?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.