Parasitology: anisakiasis: 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: anisakiasis

Sample item

A man develops sudden severe epigastric pain and vomiting four hours after eating raw marine fish. Endoscopy shows a thin white worm penetrating the gastric wall. Which parasite is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Anisakis simplex

Anisakis larvae in raw marine fish penetrate the gastric or intestinal wall causing acute pain. Endoscopic removal is curative, since humans are accidental hosts and the larvae cannot mature.

Option by option

  • A. Ascaris lumbricoides

    Ascaris is acquired from soil-contaminated food and is not linked to raw fish.

  • B. Gnathostoma spinigerum

    Gnathostoma causes migratory swellings after eating raw freshwater fish.

  • C. Diphyllobothrium latum

    Diphyllobothrium latum causes a chronic intestinal tapeworm infection and vitamin B12 deficiency, not acute penetration.

  • D. Anisakis simplex (correct)

    Correct. Anisakis larvae from raw marine fish embed in the gastric mucosa.

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, Anisakis simplex. Anisakis larvae in raw marine fish penetrate the gastric or intestinal wall causing acute pain.

Why is "Ascaris lumbricoides" not the answer?

Ascaris is acquired from soil-contaminated food and is not linked to raw fish.

Why is "Gnathostoma spinigerum" not the answer?

Gnathostoma causes migratory swellings after eating raw freshwater fish.

Why is "Diphyllobothrium latum" not the answer?

Diphyllobothrium latum causes a chronic intestinal tapeworm infection and vitamin B12 deficiency, not acute penetration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: anisakiasis in Microbiology. Endoscopic removal is curative, since humans are accidental hosts and the larvae cannot mature.

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: anisakiasis?

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.