L18. Eukaryotic Parasites 2 Flashcards
What is a helminth?
A parasitic worm; a fluke, tapeworm, or nematode
There are around 50-60 subtymes that commonly affect people
Describe the sexual cycle common to all helminthes
The egg hatches and develops into an adult worm with intermediate stages in between ranging from complex to very simple
Do the helminthes complete their maturity cycle in a single host?
NO
Almost all of them develop eggs OUTSIDE the host body and rely on the surrounding environment (soil, plants, other animals) for survival and transmission into new hosts.
What is the exception for the external environmental part of the helminth lifecycle?
Strongyloides is able to complete the whole life cycle in the one host
What are nematodes? Where do they mainly exist?
Roundworms that make major pathogens for humans and livestock.
It is a tubelike animal covered with a cuticle
Mostly exist free-living in soil
What are the three major pathogenic nematodes?
- Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)
- Ascaris lumbricoides
- Strongyloides
What is enterobius vermicularis?
Who are most affected by it?
Pinworm
The most common in the clinical setting
Mainly affects children
Highly contagious
Describe the life cycle of Enterobius vermicularis
- Eggs are laid at the anus and ingested orally by contaminated fingers usually
- Eggs survive transit through the gut
- Males and females mate in the caecum
- Females travel through the colon and exit the anus and lay eggs (nocturnally usually)
- Can often crawl back in to the rectum
What are the symptoms of infection with Enteriobius vermicularis?
Many are asymptomatic
Perianal and vaginal itch (often treated empirically)
What is the detection method for Enteriobius vermicularis?
Sticky tape test across anus at night
What is the treatment for Enteriobius vermicularis
Anti-helmethics
Can reinfection occur? How is this disease controlled?
Chronic and repeated infections do occur (self-reinfection is very common)
Prevention is by improved hygeine
What is Ascaris lumbricoides?
A large intestinal ROUNDWORM that can grow to up to 40-50cm long.
Highly motile worms, especially before sexual maturity
What is the replication of Ascaris lumbricoides like?
Prolific replication
Females lay up to 200,000 eggs per day
Describe the life cycle of Ascaris lumbricoides
- Eggs are laid in the jejunum of people
- Eggs are secreted in the faeces
- The eggs reach damp soil and hatch and mature into an infective state.
- Humans ingest the very small developing worm in contaminated run off water or plant materials
- Worms survive transit into the stomach and mature in the jejunum (0.5mm by this stage)
- They are able to migrate through to the cirulation into the lungs where they are coughed back up and swallowed again. This step is important for full SEXUAL MATURITY
- Adult worms attach themselves to the wall of the jejunum where they have suckers that penetrate and take nutrients to grow
What are some symptoms of Ascaris lumbricoides?
Many are asymptomatic
Pneumonitis (due to the larval migration phase)
Intestinal obstructions
How is diagnosis made?
What is the treatment?
Eggs in the faeces, imaging of obstructions
Anti-helmithics - they paralyse the worms so they are passed in the faeces.
What is the control of the disease?
Sanitary sewage disposal
Reinfection and chronic infections can and do occur
What is Strongyloides stercoralis?
A threadworm that causes infections worldwide
How does strongyloides infect humans?
The larvae hatch in soil and do NOT require ingestion
They infect by PENETRATING THE SKIN of people