Parasitology: furuncular myiasis: 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: furuncular myiasis

Sample item

A man back from the Amazon basin has a boil-like nodule on the scalp with a central punctum that exudes serosanguinous fluid, and he feels intermittent crawling movements. Covering the punctum with petroleum jelly makes a larva emerge. Which fly is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Dermatobia hominis

Dermatobia hominis, the human botfly of Central and South America, causes furuncular myiasis. The larva breathes through the punctum, and occluding it forces the larva out for removal.

Option by option

  • A. Chrysomya bezziana

    Chrysomya bezziana causes wound myiasis in the Old World rather than furuncular lesions.

  • B. Dermatobia hominis (correct)

    Correct. The New World botfly causes furuncular myiasis with a breathing pore.

  • C. Cordylobia anthropophaga

    Cordylobia anthropophaga, the tumbu fly, causes similar lesions but occurs in sub-Saharan Africa.

  • D. Glossina palpalis

    Glossina is the tsetse fly, a vector of trypanosomes and not a cause of myiasis.

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 B, Dermatobia hominis. Dermatobia hominis, the human botfly of Central and South America, causes furuncular myiasis.

Why is "Chrysomya bezziana" not the answer?

Chrysomya bezziana causes wound myiasis in the Old World rather than furuncular lesions.

Why is "Cordylobia anthropophaga" not the answer?

Cordylobia anthropophaga, the tumbu fly, causes similar lesions but occurs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Why is "Glossina palpalis" not the answer?

Glossina is the tsetse fly, a vector of trypanosomes and not a cause of myiasis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: furuncular myiasis in Microbiology. The larva breathes through the punctum, and occluding it forces the larva out for removal.

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 Parasitology: furuncular myiasis?

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.