Environmental health: Mansonia and brugian filariasis: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Environmental health: Mansonia and brugian filariasis

Sample item

In a village in Kerala with Brugia malayi filariasis, the vector breeds in ponds choked with aquatic weeds such as Pistia, and its larvae and pupae attach to submerged roots to obtain air. Which mosquito genus is the vector?

AAedesBCulexCMansoniaDAnopheles

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Mansonia

Brugia malayi in India is transmitted by Mansonia species, whose immature stages attach to the roots of aquatic plants. Control includes removal of the weeds, which also removes the breeding sites, whereas Culex quinquefasciatus is the vector of bancroftian filariasis.

Option by option

A. Aedes
Aedes breeds in clean water collections in containers and transmits dengue and chikungunya.
B. Culex
Culex quinquefasciatus breeds in polluted water and transmits Wuchereria bancrofti.
C. Mansonia (correct)
Correct. Mansonia larvae and pupae attach to aquatic plant roots, and the genus transmits Brugia malayi.
D. Anopheles
Anopheles breeds in water bodies and transmits malaria, not brugian filariasis.

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 PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Mansonia. Brugia malayi in India is transmitted by Mansonia species, whose immature stages attach to the roots of aquatic plants.

Why is "Aedes" not the answer?

Aedes breeds in clean water collections in containers and transmits dengue and chikungunya.

Why is "Culex" not the answer?

Culex quinquefasciatus breeds in polluted water and transmits Wuchereria bancrofti.

Why is "Anopheles" not the answer?

Anopheles breeds in water bodies and transmits malaria, not brugian filariasis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health: Mansonia and brugian filariasis in PSM. Control includes removal of the weeds, which also removes the breeding sites, whereas Culex quinquefasciatus is the vector of bancroftian filariasis.

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 Environmental health: Mansonia and brugian filariasis?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.