Parasitology: cestodes: 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: cestodes

Sample item

A shepherd has a large cystic lesion in the liver on ultrasound, with daughter cysts inside. Which statement about management is correct?

AAvoid simple needle aspiration without cover, because spillage can cause anaphylaxis and dissemination; use albendazole with surgery or PAIRBBiopsy the cyst wall through the skinCTreat with metronidazole aloneDAspirate the cyst at once to confirm the diagnosis

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Avoid simple needle aspiration without cover, because spillage can cause anaphylaxis and dissemination; use albendazole with surgery or PAIR

Echinococcus granulosus causes hydatid cysts, acquired from dog faeces. Spillage of cyst fluid may cause anaphylaxis and seeding of protoscolices. Treatment is albendazole with surgery or percutaneous puncture, aspiration, injection of scolicidal agent and re-aspiration (PAIR) under albendazole cover.

Option by option

A. Avoid simple needle aspiration without cover, because spillage can cause anaphylaxis and dissemination; use albendazole with surgery or PAIR (correct)
Correct. Unprotected aspiration is hazardous and albendazole cover is needed.
B. Biopsy the cyst wall through the skin
Percutaneous biopsy risks the same spillage and is avoided.
C. Treat with metronidazole alone
Metronidazole is ineffective against cestodes.
D. Aspirate the cyst at once to confirm the diagnosis
Simple aspiration risks anaphylaxis and spread.

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.

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Avoid simple needle aspiration without cover, because spillage can cause anaphylaxis and dissemination; use albendazole with surgery or PAIR. Echinococcus granulosus causes hydatid cysts, acquired from dog faeces.

Why is "Biopsy the cyst wall through the skin" not the answer?

Percutaneous biopsy risks the same spillage and is avoided.

Why is "Treat with metronidazole alone" not the answer?

Metronidazole is ineffective against cestodes.

Why is "Aspirate the cyst at once to confirm the diagnosis" not the answer?

Simple aspiration risks anaphylaxis and spread.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: cestodes in Microbiology. Spillage of cyst fluid may cause anaphylaxis and seeding of protoscolices. Treatment is albendazole with surgery or percutaneous puncture, aspiration, injection of scolicidal agent and re-aspiration (PAIR) under albendazole cover.

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: cestodes?

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.