Medically Important Parasites Part II Flashcards
What is Giardia intestinalis?
A mild intestinal disease with global distribution
What is toxoplasma gondii?
A parasite that infects 30% of the world’s population and is the most successful parasite
What is the parasite with the highest rate of morbidity and mortality?
Malaria
What is the most diverse disease phenotype caused by a parasite?
Leishmania
What are the stages of giardiasis?
Trophozoite and cyst form
Where is giardiasis located?
It is distributed worldwide and is more prevalent in warm climates in water sources.
What ages does giardia commonly infect?
It is more common in children but can happen all over the world. It is highly capable of causing disease with only 10 cysts required for infection.
How is giardiasis diagnosed?
Faecal sample and biopsy can be done as well. String test Immunological tests (antigen immunoassays, immunofluorescence) Microscopic observation of cysts or trophozoites in faeces Symptoms
How is giardia transmitted?
Person to person (hand to mouth (children, siblings, etc and can be caused by some sexual practices) Contaminated food and water (Epidemic if water supply contaminated, unhygienic food handlers)
Why is giardiasis easily transmitted?
Infectious dose is very small The cysts are resistant to chlorine and other disinfectants They remain viable for weeks in cold water There are animal reservoirs of some genotypes
How can giardiasis be prevented?
Communal, group and personal hygiene Avoidance of potentially-contaminated water and food.
How is giardiasis treated?
Metronizadole (widely used and effective) Tinidazole Mepacrine Nitazoxanide Paromomycin Albendazole (similar to metronizadole with fewer side effects and simplified regimen)
How is giardiasis treated?
Metronizadole (widely used and effective) Tinidazole Mepacrine Nitazoxanide Paromomycin Albendazole (similar to metronizadole with fewer side effects and simplified regimen)
What does metronidazole act on?
DNA
What does tinidazole act on?
DNA like metronidazole but slightly more effective. (it is 5-nitrimidazole)
What does mepacrine do?
It is cell membrane active and related to mefloquine and causes psychosis.
What kind of reproduction takes place in the cat by toxoplasmosis?
Both sexual and asexual reproduction
Why is toxoplasmosis the most successful parasite ever (in Dr. Christopher’s opinion)?
- It has at least 5 mechanisms of transmission. 2. Despite it having only 1 definitive host it can infect every warm blooded animal and bird. 3. It can infect every nucleated cell 4. It can live inside you for your entire life and you would never know) 5. It does not kill it’s host (normally) 6. However, it does effect your brain to improve it’s chances of transmission 7. It is very hard to treat
What are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis?
Often asymptomatic (in 90% of people) Lymphadenopathy with/without fever Eye lesions Myocarditis
How is toxoplasmosis acquired?
Acquired from cysts in soil or pseudocysts in undercooked meat Transmission via faecal material in cat or other animals being touched after they have had cysts on them. Direct contact with animal faecal material Organ transplant + immunodeficiency Blood donation
What does toxoplasmosis do to foetal development?
Can result in abortion, still birth, hydrocephaly (mental retardation and eye lesions), acquired by vertical transmission across placenta.
What kind of disease does toxoplasmosis cause in immunodeficient people?
Reactivation of latent infection Fatal, acute fulminating disease: Necrotising encephalitis Pneumonitis Myocarditis
How does toxoplasmosis cause effects in foetuses?
It only has an effect when first contracted during pregnancy
What kind of infection can toxoplamsa gondii cause in immunocompetent?
Eye lesions: uveitis, retinochoiditis, choroiditis
How is toxoplasmosis commonly diagnosed via serology?
ELISA Fluorescent antibody Haemagglutination Complement fixation
What non-serological methods are there for toxoplasmosis diagnosis?
Biopsy or biopsy materials including bone marrow, spleen, CSF, lymph, brain Inoculation of suspect materials into lab animals such as mice, rabbits, or guinea pigs (Xenodiagnosis) PCR, especially in detecting congenital infections in utero
How can toxoplasmosis be prevented?
Adequate cooking of meat Proper disposal of cat faeces Protecting children’s play areas especially in household environment
How is toxoplasmosis treated?
No satisfactory treatment available. (Synergistic pyrimethamine is found to cause some improvement) Toxoplasmosis is not treated if person is asymptomatic but if the infectious titre is rising treatment is indicated especially when starting immunosuppressive therapy.