Lecture 13: Amoeba and Ciliates Flashcards
What type of parasite is an amoeba
Protozoa
T or F: amoeba’s require a host
False, don’t require a host but benefit from interaction
What are facultative parasites
Parasites that don’t require a host to live but benefit from the interaction
Ex: amoeba
What are the most important amoeba in vet medicine
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Entamoeba invaders
- Acanthoamoeba spp.
- Naegleria fowleri
What species does Entamoeba histolytica typically infect
Dogs, cats and humans
What species does entamoeba invadens typically infect
Reptiles
What species does ancanthamoeba spp. typically infect
Usually humans, but a variety of species in vet med
What species does naegleria fowleri typically infect
Primates, cattle
What are the life stages of amoeba
- Cysts
- Trophozoites
Which amoebic life stage can be described as amoeboid, motile and feeding/pathogenic
Trophozoite
What amoebic life stage can be described as round, non-motile and environmentally resistant
Cysts
Which stage of amoebic life stages can be infectious and which can actively invade tissues
- Both cysts and trophozoites can be infectious BUT
- Only trophozoites can actively invade tissues
What are the common routes of infection for amoeba
- Ingestion: fecal-oral
- Nasal mucosa (inhaled)
- Eyes
- Skin abrasions
T or F: amoeba infections are often asymptomatic
True but infection possible
Who is most susceptible to amoeba infection
Young and immunocompromised
What body organs can amoeba go
Intestines, extra intestinal, liver, lungs, and brain
How do amoeba migrate to the Brain
Olfactory portal is highway to the brain. The cribiform plate has holes in it for the olfactory nerves to pass through and amoeba can crawl up the nerves, through the holes in cribiform plate and into the brain
What are the most common mechanisms of pathogenesis for amoebic infections
- Malabsorption (damage to colon)
- Direct tissue destruction (liver and brain)
- Inflammatory response
What are the morphological features of E. Histolytica cysts
Round to oval, 4 nuclei, blunt chromotoidal bar
What are the morphological features of E. Histolytica trophozoites
1 nucleus, central karyosome
what is this, infects dogs and cats
E. Histolytica cyst