Parasitology: cryptosporidiosis treatment: 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: cryptosporidiosis treatment

Sample item

An immunocompetent child has watery diarrhoea for a week after swimming in a pool. A modified acid-fast stain shows 4 to 6 micrometre oocysts in stool. Which drug is the treatment of choice?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Nitazoxanide

Cryptosporidiosis is usually self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts, but nitazoxanide is the drug used for treatment. In HIV, immune restoration with antiretroviral therapy is the key.

Option by option

  • A. Albendazole

    Albendazole acts on nematodes and some cestodes, not on Cryptosporidium.

  • B. Metronidazole

    Metronidazole is not effective against Cryptosporidium.

  • C. Praziquantel

    Praziquantel acts on trematodes and cestodes, not on protozoa.

  • D. Nitazoxanide (correct)

    Correct. Nitazoxanide is the drug used against Cryptosporidium.

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 D, Nitazoxanide. Cryptosporidiosis is usually self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts, but nitazoxanide is the drug used for treatment.

Why is "Albendazole" not the answer?

Albendazole acts on nematodes and some cestodes, not on Cryptosporidium.

Why is "Metronidazole" not the answer?

Metronidazole is not effective against Cryptosporidium.

Why is "Praziquantel" not the answer?

Praziquantel acts on trematodes and cestodes, not on protozoa.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: cryptosporidiosis treatment in Microbiology. In HIV, immune restoration with antiretroviral therapy is the key.

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: cryptosporidiosis treatment?

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.