The causative organism of Kala Azar is?

UPRVUNL - 2021

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: UPRVUNL - 2021

Explanation

Kala-azar, also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis, is a systemic disease caused by a protozoan parasite from the genus Leishmania.
The primary species responsible for this condition is Leishmania donovani.
The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sandfly.
It primarily affects the reticuloendothelial system, including the spleen, liver, and bone marrow, leading to severe symptoms if left untreated.

Option A: Coxiella burnetii is a bacterium, not a protozoan. It is the causative agent of Q fever, an illness that typically presents with flu-like symptoms.
Option B: Yersinia pestis is the bacterium that causes plague, a disease historically known as the Black Death, which is transmitted by fleas.
Option D: Flavivirus is a genus of viruses, not protozoa. Flaviviruses are responsible for diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika virus, which are transmitted by mosquitoes. 'Flavivirus fibricus' is not a recognized species.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causative agent of Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in educating communities in endemic areas about preventive measures, such as using insecticide-treated bed nets and wearing protective clothing to avoid sandfly bites.
Due to the risk of pancytopenia, patients with Kala-azar require close nursing monitoring for signs of anemia (fatigue, pallor), bleeding (petechiae, epistaxis), and secondary infections (fever, sore throat).
Administration of treatments like Liposomal Amphotericin B requires careful monitoring for infusion-related reactions and potential renal toxicity, which is a key nursing responsibility.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of infectious diseases and their causative agents.
First, identify the key disease mentioned in the question: 'Kala Azar'.
Recall the alternative name for Kala-azar, which is Visceral Leishmaniasis. The name itself provides a strong clue to the causative organism.
Analyze the options provided. Categorize them if possible (e.g., protozoa, bacteria, virus). Leishmania is a protozoan, while Coxiella and Yersinia are bacteria, and Flavivirus is a virus.
Based on the association between 'Leishmaniasis' and 'Leishmania', select the corresponding option.
Mentally confirm that the other options are incorrect by recalling the diseases they cause (e.g., Yersinia pestis causes plague).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 168-170

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 395-397

E6 Microbiology Applied AnjuDhir 3e Part 2 p. 21-23