Parasitology: autoinfection in cysticercosis: 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: autoinfection in cysticercosis

Sample item

A man who has passed Taenia solium proglottids for years develops seizures from multiple brain cysts. He is a strict vegetarian. By which route could the cysts have arisen?

AAutoinfection by ingesting his own eggsBBite of an infected tsetse fly carrying metacyclic formsCEating undercooked pork containing viable cysticerciDSkin penetration by filariform larvae from contaminated soil

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Autoinfection by ingesting his own eggs

A carrier of an adult Taenia solium worm sheds eggs that can reach his own mouth by faecal-oral transfer or, less commonly, by reverse peristalsis, leading to cysticercosis. Eating pork with cysticerci produces the adult tapeworm, not cysts.

Option by option

A. Autoinfection by ingesting his own eggs (correct)
Correct. Ingestion of his own eggs produces larval cysts in tissues including brain.
B. Bite of an infected tsetse fly carrying metacyclic forms
Tsetse flies transmit African trypanosomes and have no role in cysticercosis.
C. Eating undercooked pork containing viable cysticerci
Eating pork cysticerci leads to the adult intestinal tapeworm, not tissue cysts.
D. Skin penetration by filariform larvae from contaminated soil
Skin penetration is the route of hookworm and Strongyloides larvae.

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 Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Autoinfection by ingesting his own eggs. A carrier of an adult Taenia solium worm sheds eggs that can reach his own mouth by faecal-oral transfer or, less commonly, by reverse peristalsis, leading to cysticercosis.

Why is "Bite of an infected tsetse fly carrying metacyclic forms" not the answer?

Tsetse flies transmit African trypanosomes and have no role in cysticercosis.

Why is "Eating undercooked pork containing viable cysticerci" not the answer?

Eating pork cysticerci leads to the adult intestinal tapeworm, not tissue cysts.

Why is "Skin penetration by filariform larvae from contaminated soil" not the answer?

Skin penetration is the route of hookworm and Strongyloides larvae.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: autoinfection in cysticercosis in Microbiology. Eating pork with cysticerci produces the adult tapeworm, not cysts.

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: autoinfection in cysticercosis?

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.