Global Health Flashcards
How many people are infected with soil transmitted helminth?
1.5-2 billion
Where are helminth infections most common?
Sub-Saharan Africa, Americas, China and east Asia
Where are the most important helminth infections?
Intestinal nematodes:
Roundworm (ascaris lumbarcoides)
Whipworm (trchuris trichuira)
Hookworms (Neactor)
What is the standard treatment of ascarids?
Mebendazole (500mg) or albendazole (400mg)
How does mebendazole work?
Inhibit mitochondrial ATP production and also binds irreversibly to tubulin, disrupting the cytoskeleton.
What is piperazine?
Common pet anti-worm preparation
How does piperazine work?
Blocks the worm’s neuromuscular junction in response to acetylcholine, leading to flaccid paralysis.
What key condition can be caused by hookworms? How?
Hookworms ingest blood.
They also move around the gut leaving bleeding lesions.
The chief result of hookworm infection is therefore iron-deficient anaemia.
Where is whipworm most common?
Warmer areas of the world, especially in Asia.
Africa and South America are also affected
What are filarial worms?
Tissue nematodes whose larvae are transmitted via mosquito bites
Where are filarial most common?
The tropical belt
What is the standard treatment of filarial worms?
Ivermectin single dose, repeated after 6 and 12 months
How does ivermectin work?
Ivermectin works by inhibiting the g-aminobutyric acid – associated chloride channel of the nematode, resulting in muscle paralysis.
What is schistosomiasis?
Worm infection via skin penetration
Where is schistosomiasis found?
Africa and the Far East
What is the treatment for schistosomiasis?
Praziquantel
How does praziquantel work?
Causes a massive increase in permeability of the fluke’s muscles to mono- and di-valent cations, especially Ca2+
Massive influx of calcium ions results in spastic paralysis
What are the two most relevant types of flatworm?
Taenia saginata, the beef tapeworm, is much more common than T. solium, the pork tapeworm
What is first line treatment for tapeworms?
Niclosamide
How does Niclosamide work?
Inhibits oxidative phosphorylation in worm mitochondria
Eventually, the worm cannot resist proteolysis in the human gut
How many children die yearly due to pneumonia?
1.1 million under 5s
What is the pneumonia treatment rate for children?
30% of children receive antibiotics they need
Where is pneumonia most common?
South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa but occurs everywhere
What are the 3 most common causative organisms of pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae B
Respiratory syncytial virus
(Pneumocystis jiroveci in infants with HIV)
What is the most key prevention method for pneumonia in less economically developed countries?
Exclusive breast feeding up to 6 months is recommended
Ensures that the baby is adequately and appropriately nourished
A child who is exclusively breast fed is not getting contaminated water, protects infant
What is first line for pneumonia?
Amoxicillin (clarithromycin)
Erythromycin in pregnancy