Parasitology: amoebic liver abscess: 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: amoebic liver abscess

Sample item

A man with a solitary right lobe liver abscess containing reddish-brown pus has improved after 10 days of metronidazole. What should be given next to prevent relapse?

AA luminal amoebicide such as paromomycin or diloxanide furoateBAlbendazole for 3 daysCPraziquantel for 1 dayDA single dose of ivermectin

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. A luminal amoebicide such as paromomycin or diloxanide furoate

Tissue amoebicides such as metronidazole kill invasive trophozoites but do not reliably eradicate cysts in the colon. A luminal agent, paromomycin or diloxanide furoate, is given afterwards to clear intestinal colonisation and prevent relapse and onward transmission.

Option by option

A. A luminal amoebicide such as paromomycin or diloxanide furoate (correct)
Correct. Luminal amoebicides eliminate residual intestinal infection after tissue therapy.
B. Albendazole for 3 days
Albendazole treats intestinal nematodes and has no amoebicidal role.
C. Praziquantel for 1 day
Praziquantel treats trematodes and cestodes.
D. A single dose of ivermectin
Ivermectin treats Strongyloides and scabies, not amoebae.

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, A luminal amoebicide such as paromomycin or diloxanide furoate. Tissue amoebicides such as metronidazole kill invasive trophozoites but do not reliably eradicate cysts in the colon.

Why is "Albendazole for 3 days" not the answer?

Albendazole treats intestinal nematodes and has no amoebicidal role.

Why is "Praziquantel for 1 day" not the answer?

Praziquantel treats trematodes and cestodes.

Why is "A single dose of ivermectin" not the answer?

Ivermectin treats Strongyloides and scabies, not amoebae.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: amoebic liver abscess in Microbiology. A luminal agent, paromomycin or diloxanide furoate, is given afterwards to clear intestinal colonisation and prevent relapse and onward transmission.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: amoebic liver abscess?

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.