Parasitology: Plasmodium malariae: 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: Plasmodium malariae

Sample item

A 7-year-old boy has fever recurring at intervals of 72 hours, with paroxysms on days 1, 4 and 7. Months later he develops oedema and 4 g per day proteinuria that does not respond to steroids. Which species is most likely responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Plasmodium malariae

Plasmodium malariae causes quartan fever, with paroxysms every 72 hours, and can persist for decades at low parasitaemia. Chronic infection forms immune complexes that deposit in glomeruli, causing quartan malarial nephropathy with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

Option by option

  • A. Plasmodium falciparum

    P. falciparum usually shows irregular fever and acute severe complications rather than quartan periodicity.

  • B. Plasmodium vivax

    P. vivax gives tertian fever every 48 hours and is not typically linked to nephrotic syndrome.

  • C. Plasmodium malariae (correct)

    Correct. Quartan periodicity and immune complex nephropathy fit P. malariae.

  • D. Plasmodium ovale

    P. ovale also gives 48-hour tertian paroxysms.

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 Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is C, Plasmodium malariae. Plasmodium malariae causes quartan fever, with paroxysms every 72 hours, and can persist for decades at low parasitaemia.

Why is "Plasmodium falciparum" not the answer?

P. falciparum usually shows irregular fever and acute severe complications rather than quartan periodicity.

Why is "Plasmodium vivax" not the answer?

P. vivax gives tertian fever every 48 hours and is not typically linked to nephrotic syndrome.

Why is "Plasmodium ovale" not the answer?

P. ovale also gives 48-hour tertian paroxysms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: Plasmodium malariae in Microbiology. Chronic infection forms immune complexes that deposit in glomeruli, causing quartan malarial nephropathy with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

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: Plasmodium malariae?

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.