In which of the following parasitic infection, urine sample examination can be of diagnostic help?
**Core Concept**
In parasitology, certain infections can be diagnosed through urine examination due to the presence of parasites or their eggs in the urine. This is particularly useful in cases where stool examination is inconclusive or not feasible.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is **Schistosoma haematobium**. This parasitic infection, caused by the blood fluke *Schistosoma haematobium*, can lead to the presence of eggs in the urine. The eggs are laid in the bladder mucosa and can be excreted in the urine, making urine examination a valuable diagnostic tool. The presence of these eggs in the urine is a characteristic feature of urinary schistosomiasis.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Hookworm infection, caused by *Ancylostoma duodenale* or *Necator americanus*, is primarily diagnosed through stool examination or blood tests. While hookworms can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, they do not typically lead to egg presence in the urine.
**Option B:** *Toxocara* species, which cause toxocariasis, are typically diagnosed through serological tests or imaging studies. Urine examination is not a useful diagnostic tool for this infection.
**Option C:** *Plasmodium* species, which cause malaria, are diagnosed through blood smears or rapid diagnostic tests. Urine examination is not a standard diagnostic method for malaria.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that urine examination can be a valuable diagnostic tool for certain parasitic infections, particularly urinary schistosomiasis. This is because the eggs of *Schistosoma haematobium* can be excreted in the urine, providing a non-invasive method for diagnosis.
**Correct Answer:** C.