Question

What is the vector for a parasite which has kinetoplast in one of its morphological forms?

• A. Sand fly
• B. TseTse fly
• C. Female Anopheles Mosquito
• D. Triatomine bug

Hint:

The kinetoplast is the hallmark organelle of Leishmania; recall which arthropod transmits this parasite.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Approach: Organelle-to-organism identification

The kinetoplast is a DNA-rich region of the single large mitochondrion, unique to protozoa of the order Kinetoplastida. The clinically important kinetoplastid parasites are:

• $Leishmania$ spp. -- amastigote (intracellular, in macrophages) has a prominent kinetoplast; vector = Phlebotomus sandfly
• $Trypanosoma$ $brucei$ -- vector = Tsetse fly (sleeping sickness)
• $Trypanosoma$ $cruzi$ -- vector = Triatomine/Reduviid bug (Chagas disease)

The question focuses on the kinetoplast being identifiable in one of its morphological forms. For Leishmania donovani causing Kala-azar, the vector is the female sandfly (Phlebotomus argentipes in India).

\[\boxed{\text{Sand fly (Phlebotomus species)}}\]