Amoeba Flashcards
Types of amoeba
Intestinal and free living
Intestinal ones are
E.Histolytica
E.Dispar
E.Coli
E.Gingivalis
E.Polecki
Endolimax Nana
Only E.Histolytica is pathogenic
Free living ones
Balamuthia Mandrillaris
Acanthamoeba spp
Naegleria Fowleri
All are opportunistic pathogens
E.Histolytica geographic distribution
Worldwide.
Especially is tropics and developing countries due to poor sanitation
E.Histolytica life cycle
Direct lifecycle, needs only a single human host
Habitat of E.Histolytica
The large intestines
Mode of transmission of E.Histolytica
Fecal oral route
Source of infection of E.Histolytica
Contaminated food and water (with cysts)
Means of diagnosis E.Histolytica
Intestinal amoebiasis:
Microscopic:
1) demonstration of actively motile trophozoites in freshly passed stool
2) troohzoites that have invested RBCs
3) iodine stained preparation for demonstrating cysts and dead trophozoites.
Macroscopic:
Brownish-black, foul smelling stool with blood and mucus
Serological tests: only tests positive if the infection is invasive.
Includes
IHA, ELISA, latex agglutination test (LA)
Stool culture: for chronic and asymptomatic amoebiasis
Extra intestinal:
-Radiology exam (USG, CT): demonstrates space occupying lesions
-serology tests: looks for Abs formed against E.Histolytica Ags.
Treating amoebiasis
1) luminal amoebcides: effective for liminal pathogens such as those in the intestines.
Includes:
Tetracycline
Iodoquinol
Paromomycin
2) tissue agents: for systemic infection
Includes
Emetine
Chloroquine
3) luminal and tissue agents: effective in both the tissue and in the gut lumen.
Includes
Tinidazole
Ornidazole
Metronidazole
Pleural amoebiasis
-extension from hepatic abscess through the diaphragm
-or direct spread from colon to the lower part of the right lung via the blood
-dyspnea, non-productive cough, pleuritic chest pain
Hepati-bronchial fistula: chocolate brown sputum
Hepatic amoebiasis
-Ulcers form in upper part of right lobe.
Seen as central necrotic tissue but normal peripheral hepatic tissue with invading amoebae.
May be multiple or solitary.
-jaundice occurs if the lesions are many or if they’re pressing against biliary tract
-amoebic hepatitis
-immune inflammatory reaction against trophozoites is what injures the liver
Preventing amoebiasis
Improve sanitation
Improve personal habits and hygiene
Health education
Detection and control of carriers. They should a wood handling food.
Amoeboma
Tumour-like masses of granulation tissue on the intestinal wall as a result of a chronic ulcer.
Other virulence factors for E.Histolytica
Amoebic lectin, cystine proteanise: inhibits complement factor C3 and ionophore
Colonic mucus glycoprotein
Can block attachment of trophozoites to epithelial cells and therefore prevent invasion.
So changes in the nature and quality of the mucus may influence virulence.