Parasitology: hookworm: 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: hookworm

Sample item

A barefoot agricultural worker has fatigue and a haemoglobin of 7 g/dL with microcytic hypochromic red cells. Stool shows thin-shelled oval eggs containing a morula of 4 to 8 cells. What is the mechanism of his anaemia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Chronic intestinal blood loss from worms attached to the mucosa

Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus filariform larvae penetrate the skin of bare feet and mature in the small intestine. Adults attach with a buccal capsule (teeth or cutting plates) and suck blood, and the chronic loss produces iron-deficiency anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia. Albendazole with iron treats the condition.

Option by option

  • A. Intravascular haemolysis from parasite toxins

    Haemolysis is the mechanism in malaria or G6PD deficiency, not hookworm.

  • B. Chronic intestinal blood loss from worms attached to the mucosa (correct)

    Correct. Blood loss from attached worms causes iron-deficiency anaemia.

  • C. Competition with the host for dietary vitamin B12

    B12 competition is the mechanism of Diphyllobothrium latum megaloblastic anaemia.

  • D. Invasion and replacement of bone marrow by larvae

    Larvae pass through lung and gut and do not colonise marrow.

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 B, Chronic intestinal blood loss from worms attached to the mucosa. Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus filariform larvae penetrate the skin of bare feet and mature in the small intestine.

Why is "Intravascular haemolysis from parasite toxins" not the answer?

Haemolysis is the mechanism in malaria or G6PD deficiency, not hookworm.

Why is "Competition with the host for dietary vitamin B12" not the answer?

B12 competition is the mechanism of Diphyllobothrium latum megaloblastic anaemia.

Why is "Invasion and replacement of bone marrow by larvae" not the answer?

Larvae pass through lung and gut and do not colonise marrow.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: hookworm in Microbiology. Adults attach with a buccal capsule (teeth or cutting plates) and suck blood, and the chronic loss produces iron-deficiency anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia. Albendazole with iron treats the condition.

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: hookworm?

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.