Mycology/Parasitology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 4-year-old from rural Mexico presents with progressive abdominal distension, malnutrition, and pallor. Vital signs: HR 115, RR 24, BP 95/60. Laboratory studies show hemoglobin 7.5 g/dL and hypoalbuminemia at 2.8 g/dL. Stool microscopy reveals numerous larvae and barrel-shaped eggs with a characteristic thick shell and mucoid plug at the terminal end. The child denies bloody diarrhea. Which organism is most likely responsible?
Answer choices
- AHookworm species
- BStrongyloides stercoralis
- CTrichuris trichiura
- DAscaris lumbricoidesCorrect answer
- EEnterobius vermicularis
- FToxoplasma gondii
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