Transport host is one which?& x20;

Organism remain alive but does not undergo development

Parasite passes its sexual stage

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Transport host is one which?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

A transport host, also called a paratenic host, is an organism that serves as a temporary carrier for a parasite.
Within this host, the parasite remains alive and infective but does not undergo any growth, development, or multiplication (neither sexual nor asexual).
This host is not essential for the parasite's life cycle but can help it reach the next required host (definitive or intermediate).
The defining characteristic is the state of suspended animation for the parasite.

Option A: This describes a definitive host, which is where the parasite reaches sexual maturity and reproduces.
Option B: This typically describes an intermediate host, where a parasite undergoes asexual reproduction or larval development.
Option D: This statement is too vague. The life cycle is also incomplete in an intermediate host. The key feature of a transport host is the specific lack of any development, not just an incomplete cycle.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definitions of host types in parasitology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the different types of hosts is fundamental in epidemiology and public health for controlling parasitic diseases.
Control strategies are often aimed at breaking the parasite's life cycle by targeting the definitive, intermediate, or transport hosts (e.g., cooking meat thoroughly to kill larvae in transport hosts).
What if? If a parasite relies heavily on a specific transport host, eliminating or controlling that host population can be a highly effective way to prevent transmission to humans or livestock, even if the definitive host is widespread.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core concept of the question, which is the definition of a 'transport host'.
This is a knowledge-based question requiring recall of specific terms in parasitology.
Mentally review the definitions of different host types: definitive, intermediate, and transport (paratenic).
Evaluate each option against these definitions.
Option A (sexual stage) matches the definitive host. Option B (asexual stage) matches the intermediate host.
Option C (alive but no development) is the precise definition of a transport host. Option D is too general to be the best answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Microbiology Essentials Sastry 4e Part 1 p. 106-108

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1838-1840

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.