Congenital infections: toxoplasmosis: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Congenital infections: toxoplasmosis

Sample item

A woman at 20 weeks has seroconversion for Toxoplasma gondii. Which drug is started immediately to reduce transmission to the fetus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Spiramycin

Spiramycin concentrates in the placenta and reduces vertical transmission. If fetal infection is confirmed by amniotic fluid PCR, pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folinic acid are used. Fetal infection features hydrocephalus and diffuse intracranial calcification.

Option by option

  • A. Spiramycin (correct)

    Correct. Spiramycin is used for maternal infection to prevent transmission.

  • B. Ribavirin

    Ribavirin is teratogenic and antiviral.

  • C. Doxycycline

    Doxycycline is contraindicated.

  • D. Fluconazole

    Fluconazole is an antifungal.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is A, Spiramycin. Spiramycin concentrates in the placenta and reduces vertical transmission.

Why is "Ribavirin" not the answer?

Ribavirin is teratogenic and antiviral.

Why is "Doxycycline" not the answer?

Doxycycline is contraindicated.

Why is "Fluconazole" not the answer?

Fluconazole is an antifungal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Congenital infections: toxoplasmosis in OBG. If fetal infection is confirmed by amniotic fluid PCR, pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folinic acid are used. Fetal infection features hydrocephalus and diffuse intracranial calcification.

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 Congenital infections: toxoplasmosis?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.