Parasitology: Dracunculus medinensis: 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.

Try it

Microbiology · Parasitology: Dracunculus medinensis

Sample item

In a village, several adults develop a painful blister on the lower leg from which a long thread-like worm emerges when the foot is immersed in a pond. Which measure interrupts transmission?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Filtering drinking water to remove infected copepods and preventing patients from entering water sources

Dracunculus medinensis, the guinea worm, is acquired by swallowing water containing copepods (Cyclops) carrying infective larvae. The gravid female emerges through the skin and releases larvae into water. Filtering water, protecting sources and preventing infected people from bathing in ponds interrupt the cycle, and India was certified free of the disease in 2000.

Option by option

  • A. Cooking pork thoroughly

    Pork is relevant to Taenia solium and Trichinella, not to guinea worm.

  • B. Mass ivermectin treatment of the population

    Ivermectin is used for onchocerciasis and does not stop copepod-borne infection.

  • C. Insecticide spraying to control blackflies

    Blackflies transmit onchocerciasis, not dracunculiasis.

  • D. Filtering drinking water to remove infected copepods and preventing patients from entering water sources (correct)

    Correct. Removing copepods and preventing contamination of the water source interrupts the life cycle.

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 D, Filtering drinking water to remove infected copepods and preventing patients from entering water sources. Dracunculus medinensis, the guinea worm, is acquired by swallowing water containing copepods (Cyclops) carrying infective larvae.

Why is "Cooking pork thoroughly" not the answer?

Pork is relevant to Taenia solium and Trichinella, not to guinea worm.

Why is "Mass ivermectin treatment of the population" not the answer?

Ivermectin is used for onchocerciasis and does not stop copepod-borne infection.

Why is "Insecticide spraying to control blackflies" not the answer?

Blackflies transmit onchocerciasis, not dracunculiasis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: Dracunculus medinensis in Microbiology. The gravid female emerges through the skin and releases larvae into water. Filtering water, protecting sources and preventing infected people from bathing in ponds interrupt the cycle, and India was certified free of the disease in 2000.

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: Dracunculus medinensis?

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.