parasitic infection Flashcards
define infection
invasion by and growth of
pathogenic microorganisms
within the body
define disease
a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.
what is a parasite?
organism living in or on the host and
dependent on the host for nutrition - causing
damage
what are the 2 different types of parasites?
endoparasites; protozoa, metazoa
ectoparasites
what is a protozoa? give an example
single celled organism
amoeba, coccidiae, ciliae, flagellates
what is a metazoa?
give an example
multicellular orgamisms
roundworms, flatworms, flukes
what are the 2 different types of amoeba?
- Entamoeba histolytica
* Entamoeba dispar
give 3 examples of coccidia and the diseases they cause
plasmodium –> malaria
toxoplasma –> toxoplasmosis
cryptosporidium –> diarrhoea
what are the main symptoms of malaria?
Fever, headache, chills, vomiting, muscle pain
Paroxysm (cycle in 4-8hrs)
Complications of malaria: Severe anemia (destruction of red cells) Cerebral malaria (swelling of the brain,seizures, coma)
liver failure Shock Pulmonary edema abnormally low blood sugar kidney failure swelling and rupturing of the spleen
how might someone get infected by toxoplasma?
Humans can become infected by any of several routes:
• eating undercooked meat of animals harboring tissue cysts
• consuming food or water contaminated with cat feces
• by contaminated environmental samples
• blood transfusion
what are the concequenses of toxoplasma infection?
worse in immuncocompromised patients
Immunocompromised patients may develop central nervous system disease, brain lesions, pneumonitis or retinochoroiditis among other risks.
what are the symptoms of cryptosporidium
Causes diarrhoea, fever, nausea, vomiting in humans; very common in HIV+ patients presenting with diarrhoea.
give an example of a ciliate?
balantidium coli
what are the symptoms of balantidium coli infection?
symptomless in most people
–> problem as may stay in person for a long time undetected
Immunocompromised patients may experience more severe signs and symptoms: persistent diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. If left untreated, perforation of the colon can occur.
give an example of a flagellate
giardia lamblia
trichomoniasis (sexually transmitted)
what are the symptoms of giardiasis?
Acute symptoms: Diarrhea Greasy stools that tend to float Stomach or abdominal cramps Upset stomach or nausea/vomiting Dehydration (loss of fluids)
what are the symptoms of trichomoniasis infection?
Females10-50% are asymptomatic.
=> vaginal discharge, vulval itching, dysuria, or offensive odour, but these are not specific for TV.
Occasionally the presenting complaint is of low abdominal discomfort or vulval ulceration.
Males
15 to 50% of men are asymptomatic
=> discharge and/or dysuria.
ComplicationsDetrimental outcome on pregnancy and is associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight.
what are some different examples of parasitic worms?
- Roundworms (Nematodes): Ascaris, hookworm, Filaria, Strongyloides
- Flatworms (Cestodes): Taenia (Tapeworms)
- Flukes (Trematodes): Schistosoma
what are the symptoms of ascarasis infection?
often symptomless
large number: abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction
larvae may cause localised reaction in organs
what are the main symptoms of hookworm infection?
iron deficiency anaemia- caused by blood loss at site of intestinal attachment
cardiac complications
GI and nutritional/metabolic symptoms
resp symptoms
what are the symptoms of taenia infection?
Most people => no symptoms or mild symptoms. Patients with T. saginata taeniasis often experience more symptoms (size of the worm up to 10m) that those with T. solium or T. asiatica (~3 m).
Tapeworms can cause digestive problems including abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and upset stomach.
The most visible sign of taeniasis is the active passing of tapeworm segments
what is the most common cause of aquired epilepsy worldwide?
taenia solium infection
give an example of a trematode (fluke)
schistosomiasis
what are the symptoms of schistosomiasis
Within days: possible rash or itchy skin. Within 1-2 months; fever, chills, cough, and muscle aches but most people have no symptoms at this early phase of infection.
eggs produces travel to intestines, liver or bladder causing inflammation or scarring
repeatedly infected children : anaemia, malnutrition, learning difficulties
what is an ectoparasite?
parasite that lives on the outside of the host
give some examples of ectoparasites
Pediculus humanus capitis (head louse),
Pediculus humanus corporis (body louse, clothes louse)
Pthirus pubis (“crab” louse, pubic louse)
what are examples of diseases caused by Leishmania parasite?
Visceral Leishmaniasis
cutaneous leishamaniasis
diffuse cutaneous
leishmaniasis
mucoocutaneous/ mucosal leishmaniasis
