Endoparasites Flashcards
If you don’t know it already, work out what parasite Toxocara canis is, based on the scientific or latin nomenclature.
- Toxocara = roundworm
- Canis = dog
So… the Dog roundworm!
- Toxo = Latin for toxon = bow or quiver
- Caro = flesh = infected through eating raw meat/flesh
What does the prefix Toxo mean in Toxocara canis?
Latin for toxon (Toxin)
= bow or quiver
= associated with poison back in the day
What does the suffix cara mean in Toxocara canis?
Latin for caro
= flesh
= infected through eating raw meat/flesh
+
Also feed on the ‘flesh’ or rather intestines of the dog
Give an example to when the ‘organ of preference’ helps name a parasite
- Thelazia = eyeworm
- Dirofilaria immitis = heartworm
- Thelazia = from their family (genus) Thelazidae (also known as thelaziasis or spelled as thelaziosis)
- Dirofilaria = from the genus Filarioidea
What does the prefix Diro mean in Dirofilaria immitis?
Latin for dirus
= fearful or ominous
What does the suffix filaria mean in Dirofilaria immitis?
Latin for filum
= thread
Name the 1 main defining
characteristic of the Thelaziidae genus
They do not possess a circulatory or respiratory system (like all nematodes)
Name 5 defining characteristics of the Filarioidea genus
- Slender, thready body
- Simple anterior end
- Inconspicuouss oral lips
- Esophagus lacks a bulbus
- Often unequal + dissimilar copulatory spicules in the male
Large superfamily of nematodes
Some parasites are given their common name, due to their distinctive shape.
Name an example of a nematode.
Trichuris = Whipworm
From the Trichuridae genus..
Remember the prefix ‘Trich’ can also be used to denote hair too, as this is similar to whip, it suggest a long parasite, such as a worm..
Why is Trichuris, common name ‘Whip-tail’ not an accurate representation of this parasite?
Because Trichuris doesn’t have a whip-like tail, it actually has a whip-like head!
(The head invades + attaches to the mucosa of the cecum, colon + rectum)
Name 4 defining characteristics of the Trichuridae genus
- Live in the intestines of vertebrates
- Slender body
- Thickened posterior end
- Tubular capillary esophagus
Some parasites are given their common name, due to their distinctive shape.
Name 2 examples of a intestinal nematode of dogs + cats.
- Ancylostoma spp caninum = Dog hookworm
- Uncinaria stenocephala = hookworm
What does the prefix Ancylo in Ancylostoma spp caninum denote?
Greek for ankýlos
= bent or crooked
What does the suffix stoma mean in Ancylostoma spp caninum?
Stoma = mouth
What does the prefix Unicinaria mean in Uncinaria stenocephala?
Latin for Uncinus
= Hook
What does the suffix stenocephala mean in Uncinaria stenocephala?
- Steno = latin for stent
= narrow - Ceph = latin for defined + narrow head
What does the suffix ‘tode’ usually denote in parasites?
Worm
What 3 taxonomic groups can be collectively known ass Helminths?
+
What does Helminth mean?
- Nematodes, Cestodes + Trematodes
- Helminth = worm
Name 2 common facultative parasites that often opportunistically enter the host + produce infection
- Strongyloides worms
- Free-living amoebae
What wild animal does Angiostrongylus vasourm primarly infect?
Foxes
What is the common name for Angiostrongylus vasourm?
Lungworm
Where does Toxocara canis, the roundworm, complete its larval stage within the dog?
Within the muscle
How are nematodes more commonly known?
A) Thorny-headed worms
B) Roundworms
C) Tapeworms
D) Pentastomids
B) Roundworms
How are trematodes more commonly known?
A) Flatworms
B) Roundworms
C) Thorny-headed worms
D) Pentastomids
A) Flatworms
What is the most common roundworm in the UK for cats and dogs?
A) Toxocara spp
B) Ancylostoma spp
C) Uncinaria spp
D) Trichuris vulpis
A) Toxocara spp
Which of the following is a whipworm?
A) Toxocara spp
B) Ancylostoma spp
C) Uncinaria spp
D) Trichuris vulpis
C) Trichuris Vulpis
Which of the following parasites is zoonotic?
A) Toxocara canis
B) Toxoplasma gondii
C) Trichinella spiralis
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
Name 2 adult worms that live in the SI in dogs
- Toxocara canis
- Toxascaris leonina
Name 2 adult worms that live in the SI in cats
- Toxocara cati
- Toxacaris leonina
Name the adult worm that lives in both the SI of the cat + dog
Toxocaris leonina
Think of 2 for dogs + 2 for cats
What endoparasites can cause Ascariasis infections?
Dogs
1. Toxocara canis
2. Toxascaris leonina
Cats
1. Toxocara cati
2. Toxacaris leonina
Name 3 possible symptoms of Ascariasis in dogs + cats
- Respiratory signs (heavily infected)
- Inflammation in the intestinal mucosa (Adults)
- Inflammation in the Hepatopulmonary tissues (migrating larvae)
How many weeks post infection does the host of Toxocara canis pass eggs?
4 - 5 weeks
How many weeks do the Toxocara canis eggs take to mature in the enivironment?
2 weeks > several months
How long can Toxocara cains eggs potentially remain viable in the environment for, under optimal conditions?
1 year
List the process in which Toxocara canis eggs take hold of the host
1.Viable, embryonated eggs directly ingested from environment
2. Eggs hatch + escaped larvae enter the wall of the SI
3. Larvae migrate through circulatory system
4. > Through respiartory system
5. Coughed up + swallowed, into mature adult worms > SI
6. Adults lay eggs in the SI + pass out in faeces
