Parasites Flashcards
What is the definition of Mutualism? Commensalism? Parasitism?
Mutualism: relationship where both organisms benefit
Commensalism: a relationship where one organism benefits while the other organism is not harmed
Parasitism: a relationship where one organism benefits and causes harm to the other organism
What is the difference between a definitive host and an intermediate host?
Definitive host: a host in which a parasite attains sexual maturity
Intermediate host: a host which a parasite passes one or more of its
What is the definitive hsot and intermediate host of Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)?
Definitive host: Humans
Intermediate host: Cattle and pigs
What is the lifecycle of Taenia solium?
Eggs are excreted from host in feces → environment
Cattle and pigs eat, as as intermediate hosts
Oncosphere hatch and penetrate intestinal wall, circulate to muscle → develop in muscle
Humans infected by ingesting raw or undercooked infected meat
Scolex attaches to intestine
Adults in small intestine
What happens when humans are the intermediate host of Taenia?
Human consumes eggs from human feces and becomes the intermediate host
Tapeworms segments may be passed from the intestine into the stomach where oncospheres may hatch and migrate to the tissue, muscle, viscera or CNS
This results in more danger to the intermediate host human
How do humans become the definitive host for Taenia solium?
From eating infected pork, human become definitive host, tapeworms live int eh intestine, reach 2-7 m in length
What is the cause of Cysticercosis and what are the symptoms?
Cause is larvae that penetrates the intestinal wall and disseminated in the blood
Either no symptoms or abdominal pain
Cause cysts in brain → headaches, confusion, seizures, epiilepsy, vision changes
What about Taenia helps it bury into the intestine?
Hooks
What about Taenia helps it acquire nutrients?
Flat body for increased surface areas (no mouth)
What are 2 reasons that there is only one tapeworm that survives?
Hemaphrodite, can fetilize itself
Produces a lot of eggs but outcompetes with the other tapeworms until there is only one
What are the names for the eggs of Taenia solium eggs?
Proglottis → Gravids → release eggs or detach from tapeworm
How long do Taenia eggs survive? Adult tapeworms?
Eggs survive for weeks- months in the environment
Adult tapeworms can live up to 25 years
Why is it important to treat sewage for parasite even in non-endemic areas?
Because travellers can brings back these parasites and if they get into the water system ( through feces) they need to be treated to prevent infection
How do you prevent Taenia solium?
Inspect Cook thorouhgly Freezing at -1 for 5-10 days Proper sewage disposal Some used for weight loss
What are the definitive and intermediate shots of Echinococcus spp?
Definitive: dogs and carnivores (Ingest the cysts)
Intermediate: sheep, goats, swim etc ( ingest eggs)
Explain the cycle of Echinococcus spp, and how humans can get infected?
Definitive host: dogs and carnivores (ingests cysts)
Gravid proglottids (tapeworms segments containing eggs gravid proglottids) or free eggs passed in feces
Intermediate hosts: sheep, goats, swine, etc (ingests eggs)
Larval stage and infectious elements develop and cause cystic echinococcosis (CE)
Cycle complete if infected host is eaten by suitable carnivore
Human infection is accidental ingestion of eggs passed into the environment with feces from defintive hosts (dogs more of concern)
How do you get rid of Echinococcus eggs?
They are resistant to environmental conditions, a nd remian infective for months (up to a year in a moist environment at lower ranges)
Sensitive to dedication( <25% humidity)
Heating 60-80C will kill in less than 5 minutes
Can survive freezing temperatures
What is the infection like for Echinococcus? What are the disease aspects
An incosphere (larval form of a tapeworm) penetrate the intestinal mucosa and enters the bloodstream– liver/organs→ cyst development
Liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, heart, bone, CNS
2-15 year incubation
E. multicularis cysts behave like invasive cancer and are almost impossible to remove surgically when detected late→ 70% of untreated cases become fatal within 5 years
What are the intermediate hosts and definitive host of Diphyllobothrium spp?
2 intermediate hosts: zooplankton and fish
1 definitive host: piscivorous mammals or birds
How are most infected with Diphyllobothrium?
Closely linked to consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater or marine fish
Explain the life cycle of Diphyllobothrium?
Adult tapeworms infect dogs, cats, bears, humans, seals and otters
Immature eggs are based in feces of mammalian host → consumed by fresh water crustacean→ procercoid larvae
Crusteacean is consumed by second suitable intermediate host (fish)–> plerocercoid larvae→ infectious for definitive host (humans)
Distribution: where raw fish is eaten
What are the common symptoms of Diphyllobothrium?
Symptoms (mild): diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomting, weight loss, fatigue, constipation
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Unique affinity for vitamin B12→ absorb 80% of hosts intake→ pernicious anemia
Chronic vitamin B12 can damage the brain and nervous system
Needs to be infected for mayn years until neurological symptoms appear
How do you prevent Diphyllobothrium?
Fish that is thoroughly cooked, brined, or frozen at -10C for 24-48 hours can be consumed without risk