Mastigophora Flashcards
Giardia lamblia
Intestinal flagellate causing malabsorption syndrome. Diagnosed by stool analysis. Treated with Metronidazole.
Morphology of Giardia
Two stages: Trophozoite (pear-shaped, bilateral symmetry, 2 nuclei, flagella) and Cyst (infective stage, 4 nuclei, resistant to environment).
Giardia Transmission
Fecal-oral route via contaminated food or water. Infective dose as low as 10 cysts.
Giardia Pathology
Causes villous atrophy, malabsorption, steatorrhea, hypoproteinemia, weight loss, and diarrhea.
Giardia Diagnosis
Stool examination, String test (Enterotest), Duodenal aspiration, ELISA for Giardia antigen.
Giardia Treatment
Metronidazole (Flagyl). Alternative drugs: Tinidazole, Paromomycin, Quinacrine. Not always treated if asymptomatic.
Trichomonas vaginalis
Urogenital flagellate causing UTI, vaginitis, urethritis, and PID. Diagnosed via microscopic examination of discharge.
Trichomonas Morphology
Only trophozoite stage (no cysts), pear-shaped, 4 anterior flagella, undulating membrane, motile with jerky movement.
Trichomonas Transmission
Sexual contact, contaminated toilet seats, towels, swimsuits, and vertical transmission from mother to infant.
Trichomonas Clinical Features
Women: Frothy yellow-green discharge, strawberry cervix, dysuria, postcoital bleeding. Men: Thin discharge, prostatitis, dysuria.
Trichomonas Diagnosis
Microscopic wet mount (low sensitivity), culture (gold standard before molecular tests).
Trichomonas Treatment
Metronidazole. Both patient and sexual partner should be treated simultaneously.
Giardia Risk Factors
Achlorhydria, carbohydrate-rich diet, malnutrition, hypogammaglobulinemia, IgA deficiency, chronic pancreatitis.
Prevention of Giardia
Sanitation, washing hands and vegetables, proper waste disposal, boiling water, use of iodine solution, breastfeeding protection.
Trichomonas Complications
Increased HIV transmission, co-infection with STIs, risk of cervical neoplasia, adverse pregnancy outcomes (preterm, low birth weight).
