038 Parasitic Diseases Flashcards
What is the most pathogenic strain of Malaria?
Plasmodium falciparum
What is malaria transmitted by?
Anopheles mosquito
What is the pathogenesis of malaria?
After injection into host, there is circulation in liver and red blood cells. Aggregation in cerebrum can occur.
How many people are at risk of malaria?
40% in the world (2.5 million)
How many children die from malaria?
20% of child deaths
How do we treat malaria?
No current vaccination; bed nets prevent transmission
What is Leishmania?
Protozoa blood borne
How is leishmania transmitted?
Through aedes fly and filial worms
Is there a treatment for leishmania?
There is vaccination to some degree
What is the pathogenesis of Leishmania?
It invades macrophages
What are symptoms of leishmania?
Fragile epidermis, damage to skin, ulcer occurs causing secondary infections
What are the two types of trypanosome?
Trypanosome brucei (africa), Trypanosome cruzi (south america)
What are trypanosomes?
Blood borne protozoa
What parasite causes the Chagas disease?
Trypanosome cruzi
How are filarial worms transmitted?
Through insect bites
What is the pathogenesis of filarial worms?
There are lymphatic disease causing oedema by Wuchena bancofti and Brugana malayi. Some also cause blindness such as Loa loa
What is toxoplasma?
A blood bourne protozoa that forms cysts
How is toxoplasma transmitted?
Through uncooked meat e.g. lamb
What is the pathogenesis of toxoplasma?
There are 2 stages. 1. tachyzoite active stage in the blood of immunocompromised infecting macrophages in the blood; 2. latent cysts in the tissue (particularly brain) that can stay quiescent for up to 10 years using lipid stores as energy
What are Schistosomas?
Flatworms that are blood borne
How is Schistosoma transmitted ?
Direct invasion and through water
What is the pathogenesis of Schistosoma?
Male and female are both located close together in capillaries of the liver. The eggs have hooks that pierce the capillary and find itself in liver tissue. It enters the bile duct and out to external environment.
In histology what is an indication of Schistosoma infection?
Since the journey of eggs is so long, granulomas from the host defence will be visibly seen congregating around the egg.
