Question 1

A disease that occurs continuously or in predictable cycles, with a predictable number of cases, is known as:&#10;A) Endemic&#10;B) Epidemic&#10;C) Pathogenic&#10;D) Virulent

Accepted Answer

Endemic disease is present in an area all the time, and it is expected that infected individuals will be found at some level all the time. Epidemics are sudden events.

Question 2

A pathogenic disease that attacks many people in the same geographic region over a short period of time is referred to as:&#10;A) Endemic&#10;B) Epidemic&#10;C) Pathogenic&#10;D) Virulent

Accepted Answer

Epidemics occur as sudden events and affect a significant number of people. Parasitic agents may be endemic or newly introduced into the area.

Question 3

Because people strain their water through a T-shirt before drinking it, cooking with it, or using it for other personal purposes, Dracunculus medinensis has almost been eliminated from parts of the Mediterranean region. This control measure is an example of:

A) Barrier control
B) Chemical treatment or cleaning of the environment
C) Life-cycle interruption
D) Prophylactic treatment of hosts

Life-cycle interruption

Accepted Answer

Straining water obtained directly from natural sources such as river water breaks the parasite's life cycle by removing the infected copepod (intermediate host) from the water, thus preventing ingestion of the infective form. The other mentioned strategies are less effective or more expensive ways to control this parasite.

Question 4

Travelers to Africa are advised to take chloroquine phosphate before beginning the trip and continuing the medication while in Africa. This action is an example of:&#10;A) Barrier control&#10;B) Chemical treatment or cleaning of the environment&#10;C) Life-cycle interruption&#10;D) Prophylactic treatment of hosts

Accepted Answer

By prescribing a prophylactic drug for travelers, if a parasite is encountered, the drug will kill the parasite before it can establish an infection. By continuing the treatment after the traveler leaves the endemic area, there will be continued prevention so that any last-minute invasion by a parasite will also be counteracted.

Question 5

Wearing shoes when walking in soil that may be contaminated with hookworm or Strongyloides larvae and using mosquito nets when camping are examples of:&#10;A) Barrier control&#10;B) Chemical treatment or cleaning of the environment&#10;C) Life-cycle interruption&#10;D) Prophylactic treatment of hosts

Accepted Answer

Barrier protection separates the prospective host from the infective form of the parasite, thus preventing infection.

Question 6

An immunocompromised patient with AIDS was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and bacteremia. In addition to blood and sputum cultures, the physician also ordered a fecal examination for eggs and parasites to rule out infection with:

A) Enterocytozoon bieneusi
B) Cryptosporidium parvum
C) Strongyloides stercoralis
D) Toxoplasma gondii

Accepted Answer

A compromised immune system allows for a new or subclinical Strongyloides infection to become increasingly severe. As larvae leave the intestine to invade the bloodstream, they drag along bacteria, which lead to bacteremia and other related infections such as pneumonia.

Deck 9: Control and Treatment of Parasitic Disease