You answered the question incorrectly.

Which of the following would be considered the definitive host of a parasite:

The correct answer is highlighted below

Humans
Insect vector
First host infected by the parasite
Host in which mature parasites develop

Feedback

A parasite's definitive host is defined as the host in which sexual reproduction occurs.

You answered the question correctly.

This suspicious form, found in a stool sample, measures 15 micro meters.

The correct answer is highlighted below

Entamoeba histolytica
Entamoeba hartmanni
Entamoeba coli
Pseudoparasite

Feedback

Entamoeba hartmanni and Entamoeba histolytica are basically identical with the
exception of size. Entamoeba hartmanni is typically smaller that Entamoeba
histolytica measuring less than 10 micro meters.

You answered the question correctly.

This suspicious form was recovered in blood. Please identify the species listed below
that matches the parasites shown in the image with arrows.

The correct answer is highlighted below

Plasmodium vivax
Plasmodium malariae
Plasmodium falciparum
Pseudoparasite

Feedback

Plasmodium falciparum ring forms often resemble a walkman headset by containing

two chromatin dots instead of one, as commonly seen in the other Plasmodium
species. These dots serve as connecting points for the ring of cytoplasm.

You answered the question correctly.

Which one of the following parasites migrates through the circulation (blood) before
maturing in the portal venous system?

The correct answer is highlighted below

Schistosoma mansoni
Enterobius vermicularis
Taenia saginata
Trichuris trichiura
Feedback

Schistosoma mansoni is a fluke that resides in the portal system venules, primarily
those of the lower intestine. Cercariae (the free-swimming larval stage of the fluke) is
released from infected snails (the intermediate host) into freshwater estuaries.
Humans that are in the water may become infected through skin penetration by the
cercariae. The cercaria then enters the blood circulation, finally settling into the
intrahepatic portal blood vessels of the intestine where it matures.

You answered the question incorrectly.

Which of the following organisms is an obligate intracellular parasite:

The correct answer is highlighted below

Proteus
Escherichia
Klebsiella
Rickettsiae

Feedback

Rickettsia are gram-negative coccobacilli which are classified as obligate intracellular

parasites. They are able to invade various eukaryotic host cells such as
reticuloendothelial cells and vascular endothelial cells. Rickettsiae are transmitted to
humans through infected arthropods, and hard ticks serve as both vectors and
reservoir hosts for most spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae

You answered the question correctly.

I measure 12 micro meters and am found in stool.

The correct answer is highlighted below

Pneumocystis carinii cyst

Entamoeba coli cyst
Endolimax nana cyst
Iodamoeba butschlii cyst

Feedback

The cysts of Iodamoeba butschlii may be readily identified by their size

(approximately 12 micro meters) and by the presence of a well-defined glycogen
mass. Furthermore, the large karyosome and absence of peripheral chromatin that
constitutes the single nucleus help to distinguish them from the other amebic cysts.

You answered the question correctly.

Match the organisms on the right with their appropriate type from the drop down box:

Your answers are on the left. The correct answers are on the right and highlighted.

Protozoa Trypansoma, Leischmania

Helminths Trichinella, Schistosoma
Protozoa Plasmodium
Helminths Ascaris, Cestodes

Feedback

Protozoa: Trypansoma, Leischmania, Plasmodium

Helminths: Trichinella, Schistosoma, Ascaris, Cestodes

You answered the question correctly.

Multiple ring forms are most frequently seen in which Plasmodium?

The correct answer is highlighted below

falciparum
vivax
malariae
ovale
 barundi

Feedback

Multiple ring forms are most frequently seen in Plasmodium falciparum. The
trophozoite develops into a schizont made up of multiple ring forms (also known as
merozoites) via schizogony, or asexual replication. The schizont then matures which
causes the rupture of the erythrocytes- releasing merozoites into the circulation which
in turn infect other erythrocytes

You answered the question correctly.

Adult Ascaris lumbricoides worms live in the:

The correct answer is highlighted below

Lungs
Liver
Small Intestines
Large Intestines

Feedback

Although the larval form of Ascaris migrates through the lung, where it can cause
Loeffler's syndrome, the mature form lives in the duodenum or proximal jejunum. The
adults are very large worms, and can measure up to 35 cm in length.

You answered the question correctly.

This parasite resides in human intestine.

The correct answer is highlighted below

Taenia solium scolex

Hymenolepis nana scolex
 Dipylidium caninum scolex
Diphyllobothrium latum scolex

Feedback

The Taenia solium scolex is identified by the presence of four suction-cuplike suckers
and the presence of a fleshy rostellum with hooklets.

You answered the question correctly.

Match the organism names from the drop down box to the name of the associated
condition listed below.

Your answers are on the left. The correct answers are on the right and highlighted.

Plasmodium ovale Malaria

Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas' Disease
Cestodes Tapeworms
Trypanosoma rhodesiense Sleeping Sickness

Feedback

Plasmodium ovale: Malaria

Trypanosoma cruzi: Chagas' Disease

Trypanosoma rhodesiense: Sleeping Sickness

Cestodes: Tapeworms

Question Difficulty: Level 5

You answered the question incorrectly.

The iodine prep is least helpful in the identification of which of the following parasitic
stages:

The correct answer is highlighted below

Larvae
Eggs
 Cysts
Trophozoites

Feedback

Trophozoites are not generally motile in iodine stained wet preps. Typically, a small
drop of iodine stain may be placed on the slide prior to adding the coverslip. The slide
is then thoroughly examined microscopically for larvae, eggs, and cysts.

Question Difficulty: Level 5

You answered the question incorrectly.

I measure 15 micro meters and am found in stool.

The correct answer is highlighted below

Entamoeba histolytica cyst

Entamoeba hartmanni cyst
Entamoeba coli cyst
Endolimax nana cyst

Feedback
Entamoeba histolytica cysts are characterized by their size (usually larger than 10
micro meters) and the presence of 2 to 4 nuclei each consisting of a small central
karyosome inside a ring of evenly distributed peripheral chromatin. Thin chromatin
bars are also common in older cysts.

Question Difficulty: Level 7

You answered the question correctly.

The trophozoite state of the intestinal flagellate Giardia lamblia is characterized by:

The correct answer is highlighted below

two nuclei
an undulating membrane
four flagella
pattern of the karyosome
spoked-wheel nucleoli

Feedback

The trophozoite state of the intestinal flagellate Giardia lamblia is characterized by

two nuclei. It also has a large sucking disk which it uses to attach to a host's intestinal
wall lining. The trophozoite is usually shaped like a pear and utilizes four pairs of
flagella for propulsion.

Question Difficulty: Level 6

You answered the question correctly.

What is the anatomical feature of a tapeworm that possesses both male and female
reproductive structures?

The correct answer is highlighted below

Brood capsule
 Proglottid
Rostellum
Scolex

Feedback

The body of a tapeworm is composed of successive segments known as proglottids.

Each mature proglottid has both male and female reproductive structures.

Question Difficulty: Level 6

You answered the question correctly.

This suspicious form, shown below at both low (10X) and high dry (40X) power,
measures 90 micro meters by 42 micro meters. It was seen in a stool sample.

The correct answer is highlighted below

Hookworm egg
Pseudoparasite
Ascaris lumbricoides egg
Diphyllobothrium latum egg

Feedback

The mature eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides are readily visible at both 10X and 40X dry.
The organism size as well as the presence of an outer albuminous coating help to
identify the egg.
 Question Difficulty: Level 4

You answered the question correctly.

Which of the following has a life cycle that most closely resembles that of
Plasmodium sp:

The correct answer is highlighted below

Dracunculus medinensis
Blastocystis hominis
Babesia microti
Toxocara canis

Feedback

Like malaria, Babesia is a protozoan which infects red cells and produces a febrile
illness. Unlike malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes, Babesia is transmitted by
ticks.

Question Difficulty: Level 4