Extraintestinal protozoa Flashcards
Prevalence of malaria (Plasmodium species)
In 2016, 216 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide. 445,000 people died, mostly children in the African Region. There are 1,700 cases of malaria in the United States/year, mainly travelers and immigrants
Plasmodium species (5)
- Plasmodium falciparum – most common, most deadly (cerebral)
- Plasmodium vivax – 2nd most problematic (splenic rupture)
- Plasmodium ovale
- Plasmodium malariae
- Plasmodium knowlesi – most commonly in macaques, rare
human infection
Malaria symptoms
Primary pathology is the result of RBC hemolysis. Symptoms: fever, sweats, chills, headache, fatigue, anemia, and splenomegaly. Paroxysm-intensification of the symptoms
Sporogony
The process of spore formation in parasitic sporozoans, which occurs in the intestinal tract of the mosquito. This is the mosquito portion of the plasmodium life cycle
Schizogony
Asexual phase of plasmodium, occurring in the human host
Infective stage of plasmodium
An infected mosquito inoculates the host with sporozoites when it takes a blood meal, and sporozoites infect hepatic cells (exoerythrocyte cycle). They mature into schizonts, which rupture and release merozoites. Merozoite invades RBC
Recrudescence
Treatment followed by parasite reappearance
Plasmodium falciparum
Most severe form; causes cerebral malaria, blocks capillaries, DIC, blackwater fever. RBCs lyse during malaria infection, causing the urine to turn black due to hemoglobin, which is what “blackwater fever” refers to. Infects any stage of RBC. 36-48 hour periodicity. Maurer’s dots are an identifying characteristic of P. falciparum. The number of merozoites in the shizont is 8-36
Maurer’s dots
A membrane-like vacuole or structure within the red blood cell. With P. falciporum, we see multiple rings within the RBC. The rings look purple within the RBCs during microscopy. The presence of the rings is an identifying characteristic of P. falciparum
Gametocyte
One and a half times the diameter of the erythrocyte, in length, seen with RBCs under a microscope. This is diagnostic for plasmodium falciparum
Plasmodium vivax
Only infects reticulocytes = low parasite burden. 48 hr periodicity. Trophozoites – amoeboid, Shuffner’s dots. Number of merozoites in schizonts 12-24
Plasmodium ovale
First identified 1922, similar to P. vivax. Only infected reticulocytes – low burden. 48 hour periodicity. Trophozoites with single chromatin dot
– Shuffner’s dots, fimbriation
* Number of merozoites in shizonts 4-12
– Smaller than P.vivax
– Elongated to oval shaped
Plasmodium malariae
Recrudescence for many years-symptoms from RBC forms. Infects mature RBC. 72 hour periodicity. Trophozoite is thicker than P. falciparum. Band formation during maturation. Zieman’s stippling. Number of merozoites in schizonts 6-12. Maybe arranged in rosette
2 hosts of plasmodium life cycle
- Intermediate- human
- Definitive- Anopheles mosquito
Plasmodium life cycle (9 steps)
- Female mosquito blood meal –
sporozoites= infective agent for
humans - Sporozoites infect hepatic cells = schizonts
- Schizonts to merogony to form merozoites, to circulation ending the exo-erythrocytic cycle
- Plasmodium vivax and ovale species- dormant stage in the liver, relapses infection in weeks to years
- Erythrocytic schizogony (asexual multiplication within erythrocytes).
- Merozoites infect red blood cells- responsible for disease
- Mature to trophozoites may undergo schizogony to form schizonts, then merogony to release merozoites, infect red
blood cells & continue the erythrocytic cycle. - Trophozoites can mature into gametocytes
- The male gamete makes microgametocytes, and
the female gamete makes macrogametocytes. Ingested by mosquito-infectious agent
Diagnosis of Plasmodium (5)
- Symptoms
- History
- Blood smear—finger stick or
anticoagulant - Giemsa or Wright’s stains
- Thick and thin smears
Babesia species
Causes Babesiosis, human infections are caused by B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani, and a 4th un-named strain, but there are over 100 species. It can be confused with P. falciparum.
Babesia distribution
Little known in malaria endemic
countries. In Europe, B. divergens is found in splenectomized patients. B. microti is found in most (Northeast and
Midwest), nonsplenectomized. Babesia duncani - found in Washington and California. MO-1 isolated from patients in
Missouri
Babesia symptoms
Can be asymptomatic (serology positive). Symptoms include fever, chills, sweating, myalgias, fatigue, hepatosplenomegaly, and hemolytic anemia. Incubation period is 1 to 4 weeks or greater. Disease can be severe in immunosuppressed, splenectomized, elderly. B. divergens has more severe symptoms (frequently fatal if not appropriately treated). In B. microti, clinical recovery usually occurs.
Babesia diagnosis
Smear – merozoite stage = maltese cross = pathognomonic
Diagnosis - serology, thick and thin blood smears, PCR