Parasitic diseases Dan Flashcards
T/F
The main parasites are Helminths (worms) and Protozoa
True
What are the main Helminth groups?
Nematodes (round worms, pinworms and hook worms)
Cestodes (flatworms/tapeworms)
Trematodes (flukes)
What are the main Protazoal diseases?
Leishmaniasis (most important for derm)
Amoebiasis
Trypanosomiasis
Toxoplasmosis
What are the main Nematode diseases?
larva migrans, onchcerciasis, gnathostomiasis, filiariasis, Loiasis, Drancunculiasis, Strongyloidiasis
Enterobiasis (Pinworm/threadworm)
Ancylostomiasis (Hook worm)
What are the main Cestode diseases?
Cysticercosis and echinococcosis
Sparganosis
What are the main Trematode diseases?
Schistosomiasis
Paragonimiasis
Fascioliasis
Cercarial dermatitis(swimmer’s itch)
what organism is responsible for cutaneous larva migrans?
Ancylostoma spp; (BCC)
braziliense, caninum or ceylanicum
hookworms which can infect domestic dogs or cats as well as foxes, wolves, wild dogs and cats etc. The larvae is what infects humans
where is cutaneous larva migrans acquired and how?
In North, C and S America and parts of asia
pts walks barefoot/lies in outdoors; sandy area etc
hook worm eggs have been passed in feaces from infected animal and hatch into filariform larvae in sandy soil so are present on the ground and penetrate skin
T/F
The incubation time for cutaneous larva migrans is approx 2 weeks
False
1-6 days
T/F
some pts with cutaneous larva migrans get systemic symptoms including cough and wheeze
True
small percentage
rarely can get Loefller’s syndrome - eosinophilic pneumonia due to parasite infection
T/F
Creeping eruption and ground itch are other names for cutaneous larva migrans
True
also sandworms and Plumbers itch
what are the clinical features of cutaneous larva migrans?
starts as dermatitis at site of entry of larva - often feet or buttocks from standing or sitting on affected ground
can stay like that for wks-months before typical meandering serpiginous trail of erythema begins or can begin very quickly
dermatitis can be raised and vesicular
trail moves slowly 1mm-3cm per day
is 3mm wide and up to 15-20cm long
can be single or many
self limiting - usually resolves in 4-8 weeks when nematode dies
can be secondary impetiginisation - 10%
can get hookworm folliculitis with up to 200 follicular papules and pustules confined to one part of the body
Can get EM
How is cutaneous larva migrans diagnosed?
A typical eruption in a pt with a consistent Hx is adequate for a clinical diagnosis
If tests required can take biopsy of folliculitis showing nematode larvae but often larvae have migrated by the time the biopsy is taken
or skin scrapings from serpiginous trail showing larvae and dead nematodes
T/F
Humans are a dead end host for the dog or cat hookworm
True
cannot penetrate basement membrane of skin as lack specific collagenases
nematode dies in 4-8 weeks
How is cutaneous larva migrans treated?
No Rx - self limiting
can treat to alleviate symptoms
single dose ivermectin - preferred Rx for adults and children over 15kg
3 day course of albendazole - 400mg for adults and children over 10kg or 200mg for children under 10kg
both taken with fatty food
Can use topical thiabendazole 10%; Grind up two 500mg tablets into 10g of WSP and apply bd for 1 week
How does cutaneous larva migrans differ clinically from larva currens?
Migrans; well defined narrow, often raised train Moves slowly max 3cm/day often few mm only Currens; Poorly defined urticated trail Moves quickly, 5-15cm per hour
T/F
Oncherciasis is caused by Onchocerca volvulus, a filarial nematode
True
T/F
Oncherciasis is also called sleeping sickness
False
Oncherciasis is also called River blindness
Which organs/systems are most affected by Oncherciasis?
Skin
Eyes
Lymphatics
T/F
Oncherciasis is transmitted by the female sandfly
False
Oncherciasis is transmitted by the female black fly (Simulium damnosum)
T/F
onchocercomas are the first and most characteristic skin finding of Oncherciasis
True
subcutaneous nodules over bony prominences esp skull which are fibrous tissue surrounding coiled adult worms
What are the skin manifestations of Oncherciasis?
Onchocercomas
Acute papular onchodermatitis on trunk and limbs
Chronic papular onchodermatitis on buttocks, hips, shoulders
Lichenified onchodermatitis - usually one thickened and lichenified area on a limb
Atrophy around waist, butocks and thighs and Hanging groin
Depigmentation known as leopard skin
T/F
Microfiliarae in Oncherciasis cause conjunctivitis, sclerosing keratitis, uveitis, optic atrophy, and glaucoma which can lead to blindness
True
T/F
Oncherciasis is the most common infective cause of blindness
False
second most common infective cause of blindness
How is Oncherciasis diagnosed?
Pt has typical clinical features and Hx of travel to endemic area; sub-saharan mainly and occasionally in Central and South America (Mexico -> Venezuela) and middle east
Tests;
excison of onchocercoma - see adult worm
skin or sclera snip test - very superficial shave left on slide in saline for 20mins then examined for released microfilariae
T/F
Oncherciasis is treated with Ivermectin 200mcg/kg as single dose and repeated at 6 and 12months
True
Ivermectin 1st line
Can use doxy 100mg OD for 6 weeks – kills a bacteria the worms live on
and must refer to ophthalmology
T/F
Gnathostomiasis is a nematode infection caused by worms of the genus Gnathostoma
True
Dogs and cats are usual host
throughout SE Asia + Japan, S Africa and C and S America
worms wander in humans in the SC fat and muscles causing deep tunnels which are the sites of inflammation or abscess formation resulting in migratory sucutaneous inflammatory swellings
What is the classic diagnostic triad of Gnathostomiasis?
History of travel to an endemic area
Intermittent migratory swellings/nodules
Eosinophilia
T/F
Gnathostomiasis histo shows dense eosinophilia and flame figures and may see the worm
True
T/F
Gnathostomiasis is treated with Albendazole 400mg daily for 1 month or ivermectin 200 mcg/kg single dose or surgical extraction of the worm
True
Treatment important to prevent ocular involvement
T/F
What is tropical elephantiasis?
Another term for filiariasis
The clinical finding of elephantiasis indicates lymphatic and skin changes are no longer fully reversible despite treatment
T/F
The nematode Wucherera bancrofti is responsible for >90% of cases of filiariasis
True
called Bancroftian filiariasis
What is Malayna?
Less common form of filiariasis due to Brugia malayi (South and East Asia) or B. timori (limited to islands in Indonesia - timor)
T/F
filiariasis is the same as mossy foot
False
But they are DDs for each other
Mossy foot is podoconiosis, a non-infectious elephantiasis chnage due to barefoot walking on alkali volcanic soil
T/F
In filiariasis the nematode worms acquired via mosquitos mature into adults in the lymphatics where they cause obstruction and recurrent inflammation when they die and eventually permanent damage
True
T/F
The most common acute manifestation of
lymphatic filariasis is acute adenolymphangitis
(ALA). ALA is characterized by episodes of fever
attacks, inflamed lymph nodes in the groin and
axillae, and localized areas of warmth, swelling,
redness, and pain
True
response to worms dying
Also get lymphangitis, fever, and orchitis
T/F
filiariasis can only be diagnosed by blood smear for microfilariae
False
serology also
for detection of circulating filarial antigen
What are the chronic manifestations of
lymphatic filariasis?
lymphoedema (reversible), elephantiasis (irreversible), hydroceles, chyluria
massive swelling of legs or scrotum common
T/F
filariasis is treated with Diethylcarbazine (DEC)
True
Can use;
Doxycycline 200mg OD for 6-8 weeks (kills Wolbachia bacterium necessary for worms to reproduce)
Ivermectin 400mcg/kg reported
T/F
Onchocerciasis is treated with Diethylcarbazine (DEC)
False
Oncherciasis is treated with Ivermectin 200mcg/kg as single dose and repeated at 6 and 12months
Dont give DEC in Onchocerciasis as can worsen eye disease
T/F
Loiasis is treated with Diethylcarbazine (DEC)
False
Loiasis is treated with albendazole or surgical removal
DEC should also be avoided in patients with loiasis because can cause encephalopathy or death
What are Calabar swellings?
transient localized subcutaneous swellings on the extremeties which occur in 50% of pts with Loiasis
Itchy not painful
‘Lu lu (Loa Loa) rocks the Calabar!)
T/F
Loiasis is cause by Loa Loa filarial nematode
True
Both the nematode and the disease are known as the ‘African eyeworm’
What are the features of Loiasis?
How is it diagnosed and treated?
1 year after infection adult worms cause calabar swelling and can cross the eyeball under the conjunctivae
there is a crawling sensation in the skin and significant eye irritation
can also present as recurrent migratory focal angioedema caused by adult filariae
Can diagnose by daytime blood smear (giemsa) or serology for PCR
Or by demonstrating adult worm removed from conjunctival or subcutaneous tissue
Treat with Ivermectin standard dose
T/F
Migration of the adult worm across the
conjunctiva of the eye occurs in approximately
30% of Loiasis patients
False
70%
T/F
Dracunculiasis is caused by the guinea worm
True
Dracunculus Medinensis
Both the nematode and the disease are known as ‘guinea worm’
T/F
In Loiasis the female worm may be seen protruding from an ulcer on the lower leg
False
This is a feature of Dracunculiasis
T/F
systemic metronidazole or thiabendazole are curative for Dracunculiasis
False
metronidazole or thiabendazole are given to aid worm removal which is the cure
Also need antibiotics + tetanus shot
Extract worm w/out breaking - wrap around a stick and pull out over several days
What is the organism responsible for Pinworm/threadworm infection?
How is diagnosed and treated?
Enterobius vermicularis a nematode
= Enterobiasis
diagnose by seeing worms at anal margin at night or +ve stool OCP
Rx;
mebendazole 100mg stat (combantrin) and rpt in 2-4 weeks or
pyrantel 10mg/kg (anthel)
Also treat entire family and launder linen + clean kids fingernails and dont let them scratch!
Sometimes mebendazole 100 bd for 3 days + rpt at 2 weeks is required if resistant
What are the clinical features of Enterobiasis?
Pinworm/threadworm infection
mainly affects children
nocturnal pruritus ani is main symptom
worms migrate to perianal region at night to lay eggs - kids scratch and then eggs go back into mouth from fingernails
Infection self limiting if good hygeine to prevent reinfection
T/F
Enterobius vermicularis is the commonest human parasite
True
T/F
The human hookworm does not occur in Australia
False
Ancylostoma duodenale is found across Northern Aus and has a high prevalence among indiginous peoples in rural communities w/ poor sanitation
What causes human hookworm
The nematodes
Necator americanus - Africa, S Asia, Americas
and
Ancylostoma duodenale - Aus, Europe, N and C Asia
Their filiform larvae penetrate the skin the same as dog/cat hookworms in larva migrans but are able to go to the lungs where they are coughed up and swallowed
What is ‘ground itch’
what causes it?
pruritic papular or papulovesicular rash and may be accompanied by a general urticaria Causes are; Cutaneous larva migrans Strongyloides Hook worms - N americanus or A duodenale
What are the symptoms of human hookworm?
ground itch GI upset anaemia - pallor, lethargy, reduced exercise tolerance cough, wheeze, SOB Can get Loeffler’s syndrome
How is hookworm diagnosed and treated?
send stool for OCP
Mebendazole 100mg bd for 3 days
or;
albendazole 200mg bd for 3 days
How is strongyloides treated?
Ivermectin standard dose repeated after 1 week
What is the lifecycle of strongyloides stercoralis?
filiform larve penetrate skin to start infection
get into blood stream and go to lungs
penetrate alveoli and are coughed up and swallowed
larvae mature in gut an drelease eggs which mature into new flarvae in gut
gut larvae are excreted in stool but also can become filiform and penetrate lower bowel wall or perianal skin to reinfect host
excreted larvae can live full lifecycle and reproduce as free-living worm s outside an animal host or can reinfect another host
T/F
Pts with strongyloides are often symptomatic
True
may or may not have a persistant eosinophilia