Medical Question of the Day- 15

A 45-year-old man is rushed to the emergency room having severe headaches and recurrent fever started 1 week ago, a week after he came back from a trip to Africa. Physical examination reveals high fever and splenomegaly. Brain imaging reveals signs of cerebral involvement.

Which of these following parasites is likely causing the patient’s symptoms?

A- Babesia microti

B- Plasmodium falciparum

C- Plasmodium malariae

D- Plasmodium vivax

Answer

Plasmodium falciparum causes malaria. Spread by the Anopheles mosquito, P. falciparum infection is detected by a blood smear. The patient is suffering from cerebral malaria and the only species of Plasmodium that causes cerebral malaria is P. falciparum.

The correct answer is B

The winner of this question is Shubhankar

“Repeated USMLE Questions Step 1- 1” By Dr Ray Makar is sent to the winner.

Thank you

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