Parasitology: Fasciolopsis buski: 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: Fasciolopsis buski

Sample item

A child in Assam who regularly eats raw water chestnuts has abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and facial and abdominal oedema. Stool contains large operculated eggs and the child has eosinophilia. Which parasite is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Fasciolopsis buski

Fasciolopsis buski is the giant intestinal fluke, acquired by eating aquatic plants such as water chestnut carrying metacercariae. Its eggs resemble those of Fasciola hepatica, so exposure and the intestinal rather than hepatic picture separate them. Praziquantel is the treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Clonorchis sinensis

    Clonorchis comes from raw freshwater fish and causes biliary disease with small eggs.

  • B. Paragonimus westermani

    Paragonimus comes from raw crabs and causes lung disease.

  • C. Fasciola hepatica

    F. hepatica comes from watercress and settles in the liver and bile ducts.

  • D. Fasciolopsis buski (correct)

    Correct. Water chestnuts and intestinal symptoms point to the intestinal fluke F. buski.

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, Fasciolopsis buski. Fasciolopsis buski is the giant intestinal fluke, acquired by eating aquatic plants such as water chestnut carrying metacercariae.

Why is "Clonorchis sinensis" not the answer?

Clonorchis comes from raw freshwater fish and causes biliary disease with small eggs.

Why is "Paragonimus westermani" not the answer?

Paragonimus comes from raw crabs and causes lung disease.

Why is "Fasciola hepatica" not the answer?

F. hepatica comes from watercress and settles in the liver and bile ducts.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: Fasciolopsis buski in Microbiology. Its eggs resemble those of Fasciola hepatica, so exposure and the intestinal rather than hepatic picture separate them. Praziquantel is the treatment.

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: Fasciolopsis buski?

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.