Question:

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

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The kinetoplast is the hallmark organelle of Leishmania; recall which arthropod transmits this parasite.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Sand fly
  • TseTse fly
  • Female Anopheles Mosquito
  • Triatomine bug
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Identify the parasite with a kinetoplast. The kinetoplast is a specialised mitochondrial structure containing a large amount of mitochondrial DNA (kDNA). It is characteristic of the order Kinetoplastida, specifically the genus Leishmania and Trypanosoma.

Step 2: Identify the morphological form containing the kinetoplast. In Leishmania donovani, the amastigote form (found inside human macrophages) contains the kinetoplast. It is the organelle that drives motility in the promastigote (flagellate) form found in the sandfly gut.

Step 3: Match the parasite to its vector.
  • Sandfly (Phlebotomus species) -- vector for Leishmania donovani (Kala-azar / visceral leishmaniasis)
  • Tsetse fly (Glossina species) -- vector for Trypanosoma brucei (African sleeping sickness)
  • Female Anopheles mosquito -- vector for Plasmodium species (malaria)
  • Triatomine (reduviid) bug -- vector for Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease)
Step 4: Conclusion. The parasite with a kinetoplast in its amastigote form (Leishmania) is transmitted by the sandfly.
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