Infectious diseases: quartan malaria and nephrotic syndrome: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Infectious diseases: quartan malaria and nephrotic syndrome

Sample item

A boy in an endemic area has recurrent fever every 72 hours and develops periorbital oedema with heavy proteinuria and a low serum albumin. Which species is most likely responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Plasmodium malariae

Plasmodium malariae causes quartan fever with a 72-hour cycle and is associated with chronic immune-complex nephrotic syndrome. The other species produce a 48-hour cycle or irregular fever.

Option by option

  • A. Plasmodium falciparum

    P. falciparum causes irregular fever, with cerebral and blackwater complications.

  • B. Plasmodium ovale

    P. ovale follows a 48-hour cycle.

  • C. Plasmodium vivax

    P. vivax follows a 48-hour cycle.

  • D. Plasmodium malariae (correct)

    Correct. The 72-hour cycle and nephrotic syndrome point to P. malariae.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Plasmodium malariae. Plasmodium malariae causes quartan fever with a 72-hour cycle and is associated with chronic immune-complex nephrotic syndrome.

Why is "Plasmodium falciparum" not the answer?

P. falciparum causes irregular fever, with cerebral and blackwater complications.

Why is "Plasmodium ovale" not the answer?

P. ovale follows a 48-hour cycle.

Why is "Plasmodium vivax" not the answer?

P. vivax follows a 48-hour cycle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: quartan malaria and nephrotic syndrome in General Medicine. The other species produce a 48-hour cycle or irregular fever.

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 Infectious diseases: quartan malaria and nephrotic syndrome?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.