Parasites - Blood And Tissue Flashcards
What are the 4 common parasites that blood is tested for?
Malaria
Trypanosomiasis
Filariasis
Toxoplasmosis
Describe the timing of the blood samples taken when testing for parasites
Specimen collected before treatment
8-12 hour intervals every 2-3 days
When should you take a blood sample when testing for W. Bancroftii
After 8pm
When should you take a blood sample when testing for Brugia spp (filiarisis)
At night after 8pm
When should you take a blood sample when testing for Mansonell sp (filiarisis)
Any time
When should you take a blood sample when testing for Loa Loa (filiarisis)
10am-2pm
What type of blood samples are used to detect parasites
Venous blood
Capillary blood
What are the conditions for taking a venous or capillary blood sample for parasite testing?
Vacuum Tube with anticoagulant
EDTA
List three procedures done to detect blood parasites
Direct examination of Blood
Blood smear
Concentration
When are blood smears used ?
To detect infection
(Smears must be fixed and stained to reveal organisms)
What method is used to reveal
Plasmodium species in the blood?
Thick and Thin Smear
Wright/Giemsa Stain
What method is used to reveal
Leishmania species in the blood?
Buffy coat
Giemsa Stain
What method is used to reveal
Trypanosoma species in the blood?
Buffy coat/ Giemsa stain
What method is used to reveal
Microfilariae species in the blood?
Concentration/ Giemsa Stain
What method is used to reveal
Toxoplasma gondii species in the blood?
Buffy coat/ Giemsa Stain
List one advantage of a thin smear
- able to differentiate species
Because the RBC is kept intact and the morphology of the organism is better seen
List one advantage of thick smear
Able to detect light (low parasite load) infections
List 3 disadvantages of Thick smears
- RBCs are lysed so speciation cannot be done
- more experience to recognize organisms
- blood has to be dried overnight
List two disadvantages of detecting blood parasites with a thin blood smear
- light infections are harder to detect
- more time consuming
What are the four main types of Malaria
Plasmodium falciparum
Plasmodium Vivax
Plasmodium Malriae
Plasmodium Ovale
Describe the size of the RBCs in each specie of malaria
Plasmodium falciparum - normal
Plasmodium Vivax - enlarged
Plasmodium Malriae - normal
Plasmodium Ovale - enlarged
Describe the morphology of an RBC infected with P. Falciparum
- normal cell size
- multiple signet rings
- rings on the periphery on the cell
- 2 chromatid dots on the signet rings
- banana shaped gametocyte
Describe the morphology of an RBC infected with P. Vivax
- enlarged rbc
- single signet ring
- schuffner’s dots in cytoplasm
Describe the morphology of an RBC infected with P. Malariae
- single signet ring (thicker than others)
Describe the morphology of an RBC infected with P. Ovale
- Enlarged
- Single signet ring
- oval shape
- large (but single) chromatid dot
- schuffner’s dots
Trypanosoma app causes which disease
Chagas Disease (tripanosomiasis)
List two species of trypanosomiasis and describe their morphology under the microscope
Trypanosomiasis cruzi: c,s,u shape , with large kinetoplast, does not multiple in peripheral blood
Trypanosomiasis Brucei: squiggly, with small kinetoplast, multiples in peripheral blood
What is the vector of Trypanosoma cruzi
Kissing bug/ Triatominae
What is the vector of Trypanosoma brucei?
Cattle Fly/ Tsetse
Which specie of Trypanosoma is endemic to the Americas
Trypanosoma Cruzi
Which specie of Trypanosoma is endemic to the Africa
Trypanosoma Brucei
Which countries is the plasmodium falciparum species of malaria commonly found?
Jamaica
Haiti
Venezuela
Suriname
Guyana
South Africa