Parasitology: malaria: 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: malaria

Sample item

A returning traveller has fever every 48 hours, thrombocytopenia, and a blood film showing multiple delicate ring forms in single erythrocytes. Which species is most concerning?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Plasmodium falciparum

P. falciparum may show multiple fine rings per erythrocyte and can cause severe malaria through cytoadherence and microvascular obstruction. Its periodicity may be irregular early in infection.

Option by option

  • A. Plasmodium malariae

    P. malariae classically gives band forms and 72-hour quartan fever.

  • B. Plasmodium falciparum (correct)

    Correct. Multiple rings and severe-disease risk favour P. falciparum.

  • C. Plasmodium ovale

    P. ovale also has hypnozoites and classically oval, fimbriated red cells.

  • D. Plasmodium vivax

    P. vivax more often enlarges infected erythrocytes and has dormant liver hypnozoites.

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 B, Plasmodium falciparum. P.

Why is "Plasmodium malariae" not the answer?

P. malariae classically gives band forms and 72-hour quartan fever.

Why is "Plasmodium ovale" not the answer?

P. ovale also has hypnozoites and classically oval, fimbriated red cells.

Why is "Plasmodium vivax" not the answer?

P. vivax more often enlarges infected erythrocytes and has dormant liver hypnozoites.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: malaria in Microbiology. falciparum may show multiple fine rings per erythrocyte and can cause severe malaria through cytoadherence and microvascular obstruction. Its periodicity may be irregular early in infection.

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: malaria?

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.