Helminths & Protozoa

Question 1

This protozoan is highly resistant to chlorine and is often spread through water at community pools and water parks.

Answer 1

Cryptosporidium parvum

Question 2

What is the recommended treatment for tapeworm infection without neurocysticercosis?

Answer 2

Praziquantel

Question 3

What symptoms are associated with severe Trichuris trichura (whipworm) infection?

Answer 3

Malnutrition, tenesmus, rectal prolapse

Question 4

This cestode parasite can cause neurocysticercosis in humans.

Answer 4

Taenia solium (Pork Tapeworm)

Question 5

This parasite is associated with pork and bear meat. How is it diagnosed?

Answer 5

Trichinella spiralis - diagnosed by the presence of encysted larva in striated muscle

Question 6

This parasite is spread via itching and diagnosed using the scotch tape test.

Answer 6

Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)

Question 7

True/False. Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) does not cause cysticercosis in humans.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

This parasite is known as the urinary blood fluke. Its reservoir is primates and eggs are found in the bladder wall.

Answer 8

Schistosoma haematobium

Question 9

This parasite presents with itching, blotching, and wheezing and is diagnosed by the presence of larvae in stool.

Answer 9

Strongyloides stercoralis

Question 10

What is the treatment for enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)?

Answer 10

Albendazole/Mebendazole

Question 11

What is the treatment for Cryptosporidium infection?

Answer 11

Nitazoxanide

Question 12

What is the treatment for cyclospora cayetanensis?

Answer 12

Trimethoprim/sulfa

Question 13

Infection with this parasite is associated with microcytic hypochromic iron deficiency anemia, pot-belly, and pica.

Answer 13

Ancylostoma duodenale (hookwork)

Question 14

What is a complication of infection with Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tapeworm)?

Answer 14

Vitamin B12 deficiency, megaloblastic anemia

Question 15

This protozoan is associated with relapsing and remitting cycles of explosive diarrhea. Its cysts must also mature and are not immediately infectious.

Answer 15

Cyclospora cayetanensis

Question 16

This parasite is known as the intestinal blood fluke and is passed via skin penetration with infected water.

Answer 16

Schistosoma mansoni

Question 17

This pear-shaped protozoan causes watery, foul-smelling diarrhea and flatulence.

Answer 17

Giardia lamblia

Question 18

True/False. Snails are always an intermediate host for all trematodes.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the largest nematodes transmitted via fecal-oral route. What complications are associated with the worm?

Answer 19

Hemorrhagic pneumonia, intestinal obstruction, hives

Question 20

How does Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm) infect humans?

Answer 20

Larvae penetrate the skin, generally the feet. They travel the bloodstream to the heart and lungs, where they infiltrate the trachea, are coughed up, and swallowed.

Question 21

This protozoa causes watery stools with blood and mucus. It also forms “teardrop, flask-shaped” ulcers.

Answer 21

Entamoeba histolytica