Flagellates I: Intestinal, Oral and Genital

Question 1

What is the most common intestinal flagellate?

Answer 1

Giardia lamblia

Question 2

What is the causative agent of trichomoniasis?

Answer 2

Trichomonas vaginalis

Question 3

What is the habitat of G. lamblia?

Answer 3

Small intestine

Question 4

What is the habitat of T. vaginalis?

Answer 4

Urogenital tract

Question 5

How is G. lamblia transmitted?

Answer 5

By ingestion of contaminated food or water

Question 6

How is T. vaginalis transmitted?

Answer 6

By sexual contact

Question 7

What are the symptoms of giardiasis?

Answer 7

Diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss

Question 8

What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?

Answer 8

Vaginal discharge, itching, and burning in women; urethritis and prostatitis in men

Question 9

How is giardiasis treated?

Answer 9

Metronidazole or tinidazole

Question 10

How is trichomoniasis treated?

Answer 10

Metronidazole

Question 11

What is the most common oral flagellate?

Answer 11

Trichomonas tenax

Question 12

What is the habitat of T. tenax?

Answer 12

mouth

Question 13

How is T. tenax transmitted?

Answer 13

By contact with contaminated saliva

Question 14

What are the symptoms of oral flagellosis?

Answer 14

Usually asymptomatic, but can cause bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay

Question 15

How is oral flagellosis treated?

Answer 15

Not usually necessary, but can be treated with metronidazole or tinidazole

Question 16

What is the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)?

Answer 16

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense

Question 17

What is the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease)?

Answer 17

Trypanosoma cruzi

Question 18

What is the habitat of T. brucei gambiense?

Answer 18

Blood and lymphatic system

Question 19

What is the habitat of T. cruzi?

Answer 19

Blood and tissues

Question 20

How are African and American trypanosomiasis transmitted?

Answer 20

By the bite of an infected tsetse fly (African trypanosomiasis) or kissing bug (American trypanosomiasis)

Question 21

What are the symptoms of African trypanosomiasis?

Answer 21

Fever, headache, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, and eventually neurological symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and coma

Question 22

What are the symptoms of American trypanosomiasis?

Answer 22

Fever, headache, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, and eventually cardiac and gastrointestinal symptoms

Question 23

How are African and American trypanosomiasis treated?

Answer 23

African trypanosomiasis: pentamidine or suramin in the early stages, eflornithine or melarsoprol in the late stages
American trypanosomiasis: benznidazole or nifurtimox

Question 24

Genital Flagellates

Answer 24

• Trichomonas vaginalis
• Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense
• Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis, also known as Chagas disease.

Question 25

Oral Flagellates

Answer 25

• Trichomonas tenax - is the most common oral flagellate. It is found in the mouths of up to 90% of healthy adults. T. tenax is usually asymptomatic, but it can cause bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. Oral flagellosis is treated with metronidazole or tinidazole.

Question 26

Intestinal flagellates

Answer 26

• Giardia lamblia is the most common intestinal flagellate. It can cause giardiasis, which is a common waterborne disease.
• Trichomonas hominis
• Dientamoeba fragilis is an intestinal flagellate that can cause dientamoebiasis.