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Year 1- Principles of Disease (FOM) > Introduction to Parasites > Flashcards

Introduction to Parasites Flashcards

1
Q

Define parasite

A

A parasite is an organism that lives in or on another organism (host) and derives its nutrients at the expense of this host

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2
Q

Where are parasites most commonly found?

A

Resource poor countries- developing countries.

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3
Q

Parasites may do two things relating to infection; what are they?

A
  1. Cause the infection themselves
  2. Be a vector for the infection
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4
Q

Define vector.

A

An organism which acts as an intermediate host for a parasite.
The vector transmits the parasite to the next host.

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5
Q

What is the World Health Organisation? (WHO)

A

A specialised agency of the United Nations concerned with international public health.
194 member states (countries) involved.

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6
Q

Where is the tropical region of the world?

A

Anywhere between the tropic of cancer and the tropic of Capricorn.

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7
Q

Name three subdivisions of parasite.

A

Protozoa, helminths and ectoparasites.

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8
Q

Name three types of protazoa.

A

Malaria, amoebae and flagellates.

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9
Q

Name three types of protozoa.

A

Malaria, amoeba and flagellates.

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10
Q

Name three types of helminth.

A

Roundworms, flatworms and flukes.

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11
Q

Name three types of ectoparasite.

A

Lice, ticks and mites.

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12
Q

Define protozoa.

A

Single celled organisms which can live within both the environment and humans and cause infection.

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13
Q

Define ectoparasites.

A

Parasites which live on the outside of the body.

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14
Q

Describe protozoa.

A

Microscopic, single-celled organisms
Can be free-living or parasitic in nature
Able to multiply in humans

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15
Q

Describe the two ways protozoa can transmit infection.

A
  1. Protozoa that live in a human’s intestine  faecal-oral route
  2. Protozoa that live in the blood or tissue of humans  insect vector
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16
Q

What is the most common cause of death related to parasites in the world?

A

Malaria.

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17
Q

What parasite causes malaria?

A

Plasmodium

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18
Q

What symtoms do patients with malaria experience?

A

Fever, chills, flu like illness.

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19
Q

What symptoms do patients with malaria experience?

A

Fever, chills, flu like illness.

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20
Q

What is the vector which causes malaria?

A

Mosquitos.

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21
Q

Throughout the world, how many species of plasmodium are there?

A

5

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22
Q

Name the ABCD for the prevention of malaria.

A

A- Awareness of the risk-> involves awareness of the area you’re travelling to.
B- Bite prevention ->e.g. wearing long sleeved clothing
C- Chemoprophylaxis (appropriate choice of antimalarial medication and compliance with theregime)
D- Diagnosis (prompt diagnosis and treatment without delay)

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23
Q

Okay now actually give a definition of malaria.

A

Mosquito-borne parasitic infection caused by Plasmodium species

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24
Q

Why is eradication of malaria difficult?

A

Because of the complex life cyle of the parasite.

25
Q

What is Amoebic Dysentery?

A

Another type of protozoa infection which causes bloody diahorrea by the amoeba.

26
Q

Where in the body is amoeba found?

A

In the gut.

27
Q

How can you contract the amoeba infection?

A

By ingesting someone else’s faecal material in the form of contaminated food/water.

28
Q

What do amoeba eat as a source of nutrients?

A

Red blood cells.

29
Q

What is dysentery?

A

Bloody diahorrea.

30
Q

What can happen if you have had Amoebic Dysentery for a long time?

A

Liver abscesses may form.

31
Q

Where else can protozoa cause infection in the body?

A

Variety of body systems.

32
Q

Name the three categories of worm.

A

Nematodes, cestodes and trematodes.

33
Q

Give an example of the following-
1. Nematode
2. Cestode
3. Trematode

A
  1. Roundworm
  2. Tape worms
  3. Flatworms
34
Q

What do we look for to diagnose worm infections?

A

Eggs of the worm in stool samples.

35
Q

Enterobiasis is a type of??

A

Nematode.

36
Q

Discuss Enterobiasis.

A

Sometimes referred to as the pinworm.
Often found in children.
Causes anal itch, especially at night.
Worm is approx 1cm long

37
Q

Why does Enterobiasis cause anal itch?

A

At night, worm lays eggs around the anus.

38
Q

How is Enterobiasis diagnosed?

A

Stick Sellotape on the child’s bottom and examine it under the microscope.

39
Q

Describe Ascaris lumbricoides.

A

-The largest nematode in humans (Adults 15-35 cm)
-Often asymptomatic

40
Q

What can ascaris lumbricoides result in in adults and children.

A

-May cause failure to thrive in children
-Mass of worms may obstruct small intestine or common bile duct

41
Q

Describe the structure cestodes.

A

Long, segmented tapeworms.

42
Q

How are cestodes transmitted?

A

By consuming raw or undercooked meat (beef or pork).

43
Q

Name the intermediate hosts for cestodes.

A

Pigs and cows are the most common as have ingested larval cysts.

44
Q

Name the definitive host for cestodes.

A

Humans.

45
Q

Describe trematodes.

A

Also known as “flukes” or “flatworms”
Different species cause human infection in various body sites.

46
Q

Name some of the various sites where you might find trematodes.

A
  1. Blood
  2. Lungs
  3. Liver
  4. Pancreas
  5. Intestine
47
Q

What disease are trematodes associated with?

A

Schistosomiasis

48
Q

What does Schistosomiasis need to be able to be transmitted.

A

Close to fresh water, snails important in lifecycle.

49
Q

What can Schistosomiasis lead to if left untreated?

A

Complications such as liver failure and bladder cancer if left untreated

50
Q

How do you get Schistosomiasis?

A

Swimming in fresh water where the snail (intermediate host) is present.

51
Q

What are ectoparasites typically?

A

Insects or arachnids.

52
Q

Ectoparasites are often vectors. What does this mean?

A

They cause infection as well as carrying other typesof infection.

53
Q

For diagnosis of malaria, what kind of technique is used?

A

Blood microscopy using thick and thin blood films.

54
Q

For diagnosis of ova, cysts and parasites, what technique is used?

A

Stoll microscopy.

55
Q

Define ova.

A

Eggs

56
Q

In what form do protozoa leave the body?

A

Cysts

57
Q

Give two examples of indirect testing for parasites.

A

Serology (immune testing)

Rapid diagnostic tests

58
Q

How do parasites get nutrients?

A

Get nutrients from their host at the expense of the organism.

Year 1- Principles of Disease (FOM) (40 decks)

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