Parasitology: toxoplasmosis: 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: toxoplasmosis

Sample item

An HIV-positive patient with low CD4 count has headache, seizures, and multiple ring-enhancing brain lesions. Which organism is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Toxoplasma gondii

Reactivation of latent Toxoplasma causes encephalitis with multiple ring-enhancing lesions in advanced HIV. Pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine with leucovorin is classic therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Toxoplasma gondii (correct)

    Correct. This is the archetypal presentation of cerebral toxoplasmosis in AIDS.

  • B. Taenia solium adult worm

    Neurocysticercosis involves larval T. solium and has a different epidemiologic and radiologic context.

  • C. Entamoeba histolytica

    E. histolytica primarily causes colitis and liver abscess.

  • D. Leishmania donovani

    Visceral leishmaniasis causes fever, splenomegaly, and pancytopenia.

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 A, Toxoplasma gondii. Reactivation of latent Toxoplasma causes encephalitis with multiple ring-enhancing lesions in advanced HIV.

Why is "Taenia solium adult worm" not the answer?

Neurocysticercosis involves larval T. solium and has a different epidemiologic and radiologic context.

Why is "Entamoeba histolytica" not the answer?

E. histolytica primarily causes colitis and liver abscess.

Why is "Leishmania donovani" not the answer?

Visceral leishmaniasis causes fever, splenomegaly, and pancytopenia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: toxoplasmosis in Microbiology. Pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine with leucovorin is classic therapy.

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: toxoplasmosis?

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.