Introduction à la parasitologie médicale Flashcards
What is parasitology?
The study of infections directly or indirectly caused by parasites
What is a parasite?
organism that feeds exclusively at the expense of a host organism of a different species, either permanently or during a phase of its life cycle
What is parasitosis?
infestation with or disease caused by parasites.
What are the three different kinds of hosts?
Hôte définitif: parasite à l’état adulte
Hôte intermédiaire: parasite à l’état de larve
Hôte accidentel: parasitosis usually found in another species
What is a reservoir?
Organism in which parasites multiply between transmissions and infections
How are parasites a problem globally?
Omnipresent on our planet —> found in all climates
Important cause of morbidity and mortality
Affect extremely high number of people
ex: Geohelminths —> 1.5 billion people infected, 24% of global population
How are parasites acquired in Canada? (3 main causes of parasitosis)
Locally acquired
Immigrants from endemic locations
Travellers and tourism
What are the three main ways in which parasites can be transmitted?
- Fecal-oral (digestive)
- Direct and indirect contact including transcutaneous
- Vectors (ex: ticks, mosquitos, etc.)
How is intestinal parasitosis dx in a lab?
Microscopie —> méthode de référence
Feces is the specimen of choice (need 2-3 specimens for dx)
Why do you study selles fraiches?
Fast dx, evaluate “charge parasitaire”, evaluate motility of protozoa, detect mobile larvae
Why do you study selles fixées?
SAF-fixatives can be used (formol d’acétate de sodium) which allows for permanent colouration that helps with better visualization of Trophozoïtes and Kystes
How is cutaneous parasitosis dx?
Microscope and colourations
Clinic?
- Aspect of lesions and anatomical localization
How is “parasitose profond” dx?
Specimen for microscopy if possible… if not:
- Medical imagery
- Serology
- Antigen detection
Eosinophils and parasitosis:
Type of WBC
Increased in blood during allergic rxns and certain parisitoses
When are eosinophils associated with parasitosis?
Severe infections
Infections plus profondes
Dissemination and migration of parasites
IN CUTANEOUS AND INTESTINAL PARASITOSIS —> NO EOSINOPHILS
The absence of eosinophils does not mean an absence of parasites
What are the two classification groups of parasites?
- Ectoparasites
- Endoparasites
What are ectoparasites?
Live on the surface of the body (skin, hair, nails, etc.)
Either insects and arachnids
What are the different kinds of insects (4) and arachnids (2) that are considered ectoparasites?
What are Sarcoptes scabei? —> SCABIES
Mite (human skin)
Omnipresent globally
300M new cases annually
Who is the most vulnerable? (scabies)
Lower socioeconomic classes
People living in overcrowded living conditions
How is it transmitted? (scabies)
Person to person contact (direct)
VERY CONTAGIOUS (outbreaks in hospitals very very possible)
How do they reproduce? (scabies)
Creusent des sillons sous la peau
What sites are affected by scabies?
- Wrists
- Interdigital grooves
- Navel
- Lower back
- Buttocks and genitals
- Underarms and breasts
What is the incubation period of scabies?
Around 2 months but shorter if been exposed before
Sx associated with scabies:
Prurit cutané
Dx of scabies:
Microscopie sur raclures de peau
Tx of scabies:
Permethrin 5% (topical cream) or Ivermectin
What are endoparasites?
Parasites that live inside organism
Deep tissues and organs (ex: lungs, intestines, brain, etc.)
What are the 4 main categories of endoparasites?
- Protozoa
- Helminthes (worms)
- Chromistes
- Microsporidies (fungi)
How are protozoa classified?
classified according to their mode of locomotion
What are the sub-classifications of amoebas?
What are Entamoeba hystolytica?
Intestinal parasite (amoeba)
Found across the globe but mostly in tropical and subtropical regions in: Latin America, Africa, and Asia
2nd highest cause of death due to parasitosis: 40k - 100k deaths per year
Infects 500M people a year —> 50M with abscesses in liver
What are the two forms of Entamoeba hystolytica?
- Trophozoite —> active form
- Kyste —> dissemination (resistant in environment)
How are Entamoeba hystolytica transmitted?
Fecal-oral (contaminated food and water) and oro-genital sex