Lecture 4 - Protazoan Infections Flashcards
A 28yo female present with fever of 39C and confusion. She returned 16 days ago from a 2 week trip to Kenya. Which of the following should be ordered immediately?
blood smear
looking for malaria parasite in the RBC
What are the most important intestinal protozoa?
giardia intestinalis (chronic diarrhea) entamoeba histolytica (dysentery, liver abscess) cryptoporidium parvum (diarrhea in AIDS)
What are the most important tissue protozoa?
Trypanosomiasis -African: T.b. rhodesiense, T.b. gambiense -South American: T. cruzi Leishmaniasis (visceral vs cutaneous) Toxoplasmosis
What are the the most common blood protozoa?
Plasmoidum (malaria)
Babesia (transmitted by ticks)
What parasite most commonly causes malaria?
Plasmodium falciparum (the most common one to cause sxs d/t cytoadherence)
How is malaria transmitted?
Mosquito genus anapheles
females only
incubation is 1 week
Which two plasmodia can lay dormant in the liver for months to years?
P. ovale and P. vivax
Cytoadherence
seen in plasmoidum falciparum malaria parasite that causes the RBC to be sticky
this gums up the vasculature (ischemia –cerebral malaria)
What is the most common sx seen with malaria?
fever
episodic with very hight spikes (very high, like over 40)
the spikes in temp are d/t rupture of the RBCs
this leads to splenomegaly
What are common things you see on labs for pts with malaria?
anemia
thrombocytopenia (only 50% of pts with malaria have low platelets)
Plasmoidum falciparum results in what clinical manifestation?
cerebral malaria
severe anemia
What is the peak age for malaria infections?
young children (<5)
you have to have constant exposure to maintain immunity
Duffy antigen
is an antigen needed on the host RBC in order for P vivax parasite to enter the RBCs
evolution - no one in west Africa has duffy antigen so they do not get vivax
Sickle cell trait is protective against…
P. falciparum
Is malaria transmitted in the US?
No
We have about 1500 cases a year but they are from immigrants or travelers
How do you dx malaria?
Microscopy — thin and thick blood smears
RDTs (rapid diagnostic tests) using a drop of blood
Serology has NO place in dx of acute infection - since antibodies can be present for ~ 10 years after an infection
When using RDTs for malaria, where is it best to take blood from the pt?
Fingertips (using a lancet similar to glucose tests) because this is where the infected RBCs get stuck d/t cytoadherence
Which malaria parasite can result in coma due to ischemia induced cytoadherent infected erythrocytes obstructing circulation in the cerebral vasculature?
Plasmodium flaciparum
What is the management for malaria?
This is why it is so important to know which species is infecting the pt —done by the lab via blood smear
P.ovale/vivax —must treat liver hypnozoites to prevent relapse
There is now chloroquine drug resistance with p. Falciparum
Other: ACTs - artemesinin-based combination therapy
Can always call the CDC hotline for help
Typically these pts are admitted to the hospital and given IV meds
- ICU
- IV fluids +/- blood transfusion
IV quinidine IV artesunate (From CDC)
How do you treat P. Vivax/ovale?
Must treat the liver hypnozoite stage with PRIMAQUINE x 14 days and then given chloroquine
MUST screen for G6PD deficiency first
Contraindicated in pregnancy —-the only option you have is to wait until the pt delivers and then treat the malaria
What prophylaxis is used for malaria prevention in travelers?
Reduce exposure:
DEET
Insecticide treated bednets
Cover skin
Chemoprophylaxis:
“Yellow book” from CDC to help guide drug based on location of travel
A 24 yo male with functional asplenia due to sickle cell disease goes to Cape Cod and develops a fever. The lab calls you to say there are funny looking things in his erythrocytes. The infection was likely transmitted by a …?
Tick
Babesiosis
Entraerythrocytic parasite transmitted in the US
Which species of babesiosis infects humans most commonly in the US?
B. Microti
How does babesiois microti infect humans?
Tick Ixodes scapularis (this is the same kind of tick that can transmit lyme disease)
The tick must be attached for >24 hours in order to transmit babesiosis microti
Where is babesiosis most commonly transmitted?
New england, wisconsin and minnesota
What is the clinical presentation of babesiosis?
> 25% are asymptomatic (especially in children)
Flu like illness: fever/chills, fatigue, HA (lasts weeks to months)
Complications:
ARDS, massive hemolysis, congestive heart failure, renal failure, death
-elderly, HIV+, and asplenic at higher risk
*absence of spleen means no way of controlling the growth of the parasite
How is babesiosis dx?
Microscopic exam of blood (giemsa stain)
PCR is most commonly used now d/t being more sensitive
Maltese cross
Classic finding (not always seen but when it is it is patognmonic for) babesia on blood smear
Which parasite can establish latency in the liver?
Plasmoidum vivax
Who is at greatest risk of malaria infections?
Children
Pregnancy