Parasitology: African trypanosomiasis: 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: African trypanosomiasis

Sample item

A 40-year-old man returns from a safari in Tanzania with a painful ulcerated skin chancre, high fever, and tender enlarged regional lymph nodes. Within three weeks he develops tachycardia and confusion. Which organism and vector are responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, transmitted by tsetse fly

East African trypanosomiasis due to T. b. rhodesiense is a zoonosis with game animals as reservoir and causes an acute fulminant illness with early cardiac and neurological involvement. West African disease due to T. b. gambiense is chronic over months to years, with prominent posterior cervical nodes (Winterbottom sign). Both are transmitted by Glossina species.

Option by option

  • A. Leishmania donovani, transmitted by sandfly

    L. donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis and does not produce a chancre.

  • B. Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by reduviid bug

    T. cruzi causes Chagas disease in the Americas and is transmitted by reduviid bugs.

  • C. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, transmitted by tsetse fly

    T. b. gambiense occurs in West and Central Africa and runs a slowly progressive course.

  • D. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, transmitted by tsetse fly (correct)

    An acute course in East Africa after a safari fits T. b. rhodesiense.

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 D, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, transmitted by tsetse fly. East African trypanosomiasis due to T.

Why is "Leishmania donovani, transmitted by sandfly" not the answer?

L. donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis and does not produce a chancre.

Why is "Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by reduviid bug" not the answer?

T. cruzi causes Chagas disease in the Americas and is transmitted by reduviid bugs.

Why is "Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, transmitted by tsetse fly" not the answer?

T. b. gambiense occurs in West and Central Africa and runs a slowly progressive course.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: African trypanosomiasis in Microbiology. b. rhodesiense is a zoonosis with game animals as reservoir and causes an acute fulminant illness with early cardiac and neurological involvement. West African disease due to T. b. gambiense is chronic over months to years, with prominent posterior cervical nodes (Winterbottom sign). Both are transmitted by Glossina species.

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: African trypanosomiasis?

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.