Parasitology: Schuffner dots: 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: Schuffner dots

Sample item

A thin film from a febrile patient shows enlarged red cells with fine red-pink stippling, amoeboid trophozoites and 12 to 24 merozoites in a schizont. Which species is this, and what is the stippling called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Plasmodium vivax with Schuffner dots

P. vivax infects young enlarged red cells, showing Schuffner dots, amoeboid trophozoites and 12 to 24 merozoites per schizont. Maurer clefts are coarse spots in falciparum, and Ziemann dots occur in P. malariae.

Option by option

  • A. Plasmodium malariae with Ziemann dots

    P. malariae does not enlarge cells, and schizonts have 6 to 12 merozoites.

  • B. Plasmodium falciparum with Maurer clefts

    Falciparum cells are not enlarged and schizonts are not usually seen in blood.

  • C. Plasmodium knowlesi with Maurer clefts

    P. knowlesi resembles P. malariae and does not enlarge red cells.

  • D. Plasmodium vivax with Schuffner dots (correct)

    Correct. Enlarged cells with Schuffner dots indicate P. vivax.

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, Plasmodium vivax with Schuffner dots. P.

Why is "Plasmodium malariae with Ziemann dots" not the answer?

P. malariae does not enlarge cells, and schizonts have 6 to 12 merozoites.

Why is "Plasmodium falciparum with Maurer clefts" not the answer?

Falciparum cells are not enlarged and schizonts are not usually seen in blood.

Why is "Plasmodium knowlesi with Maurer clefts" not the answer?

P. knowlesi resembles P. malariae and does not enlarge red cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: Schuffner dots in Microbiology. vivax infects young enlarged red cells, showing Schuffner dots, amoeboid trophozoites and 12 to 24 merozoites per schizont. Maurer clefts are coarse spots in falciparum, and Ziemann dots occur in P. malariae.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: Schuffner dots?

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.