M: Parasitic Infections of the Eye - Week 10 Flashcards
Name 5 situations where you might suspect parasites in the eye/appendages
- infections in contact lens uses: that aren’t responding to antibiotics
- immunocompromised person
- returned traveler/migrant from developing country
- zoonosis: contact with animals (esp. faeces)
- sexual partner has similar/other genital lesions
How might a travelling person acquire parasites? Name 3 ways
- bitten by insects
- swam in rivers/lakes
- consumed ‘exotic’/raw/undercooked food (frogs, snakes, seafood)
Define parasitism
a living organism (parasite) living on/in another living organism (host), causing harm to the host
Define commensalism
an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm.
Define symbiosis
interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.
What kingdom to parasites belong to?
Animal kingdom
How can parasites be broadly classified?
As unicellular or multicellular
What are unicellular parasites called? What are multicellular parasites called?
unicellular = Protozoa. multicellular = Metazoa
What 2 categories can we classify metazoa?
- Helminths (worms)
- Arthopods (insects)
In what 5 categories can we classify protozoa?
- Amoeba
- Flagellates
- Cilliates
- Sporozoa
- Microsporidia
In what 2 broad categories can we classify helminths?
- Platyhelminths (flat worms)
- Nematohelminths (round worms) (i.e. nematodes)
In what 2 categories can we classify platyhelminths?
- Trematodes (leaf shaped)
- Cestodes (tape shaped)
Define the following:
A: Definitive host
B: Intermediate host
C: Incidental/Accidental host
D: Reservoir/Natural host
A: carries adult or sexual stage of parasite
B: carries all or part of larval or asexual stage of parasite. Sometimes,2 intermediate hosts
C: host is not necessary for parasite’s survival. In fact it is a ‘dead end’ for parasite
D: other animals which normally harbour the parasite and are part of life cycle
What is a Vector? What forms can it be in? (2)
A vector is one of two hosts. Usually an arthropod.
it may be:
- biological (in which part of life cycle is passed), or
- mechanical (life cycle not passed)
In what 2 categories can we classify Arthropods (in the eye)?
- Ectoparasites
- Vectors
Name 4 Ectoparasites (that can colonise the eye). And name the conditions they are associated with (4)
- Itch mite (scabies)
- Mite (demodex)
- Pubic lice (“crabs”)
- Fly larvae (ophthalmomylasis)
Name 5 vectors. And name the parasites they transmit [in brackets] (5)
- Sandflies (leishmania)
- Tse-tsefly (trypanasome)
- Deerfly (Loa Loa)
- Blackfly (onchocerca)
- Fleas/ticks/mosquito (filarial worms)
List 4 ways a parasitic infection of the lids can present
- swelling
- cysts
- distorted eyelids
- crusted lesions
List 1 way a parasitic infection of the following areas present:
- cornea
- conjunctiva
- lacrimal gland
- optic nerve
- retina/choroid
- keratitis
- conjunctivitis
- davryocystitis
- neuritis
- retinoscope-choroiditis
List 2 ways a parasitic infection of the orbit can present
- cyst
- nodule
Name 6 parasites that can affect the eyelid
- Leishmania
- Taenia cysticercosis
- Spirometra
- Pubic lice (‘crabs’)
- Sarcoptes scabei
- Demodex
(also - ‘bot’ fly)
Name 4 parasites that can affect the cornea
- acanthamoeba
- microsporidia
- leishmania
- trypanosoma
Name 5 parasites that can affect the conjunctiva
- microsporidia
- leishmania
- ‘bot’ fly
- loa loa
- animal filarial worms
Name 2 parasites that can affect the lacrimal gland
- Schistosoma
- Cysticercosis