Parasitic Infections Flashcards
What is an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host?
parasite
What are the different types of parasites?
- endoparasites
- ectoparasites
What are different endoparasites?
- protozoa
- helminths (worms)
What are examples of ectoparasites?
- ticks
- fleas
- lice
- mites
What is Rocky mountain Spotted Fever caused by?
either the dog tick or wood tick
Where are parasitic infections, especially those that cause diarrhea common?
low- and middle-income countries
Parasitic infections are highly associated with protozoal and helminth (1) infections worldwide
- gastrointestinal
Parasitic infections are a major cause of morbidity in many countries, primarily due to (1) and (2)
- poor water (and)
- food sanitation
Parasites have great differences in their structure, making them highly (1) and (2) often results
- antigenic
- severe diseases
What are some examples of what parasitic infections can cause?
- diarrhea
- widespread rashes
- hemorrhage
- organ failure
What are one-celled organisms that cause disease in humans?
protozoa
How do protozoa reproduce?
primarily through sexual binary fission (can be budding)
Where do protozoa flourish and multiply?
human tissues and organs
How can protozoa be transmitted?
- fecal-oral route
- vector bite (insect)
- sexual contact
Protozoa are classified by their method of transport, which includes?
- flagella or cilia may be present in some, but not all are motile
What activities occur in the trophozoite stage of protozoa?
- organism is active and feeding
- able to gather nutrients from its host
In the trophozoite stage of protozoa, they are able to gather nutrients from its host through what?
lumen of GI tract
What occurs as protozoa forms a thick wall to protect it from harsh environments as it moves through the body?
encystation
What stage becomes the “hardier” stage where protozoa can survive more easily?
cyst (formation of cyst-encystation)
When a protozoa is in the cyst stage, protozoa become what and what does that mean?
hardy - can survive extremes in temperature and severe environments
At what stage do protozoa have little need for nourishment, such as oxygen or water requirements?
the cyst stage
At what stage allows protozoa to evade our immune response and to survive longer?
the cyst stage
At what stage allows protozoa to exist outside of their dependent host?
the cyst stage
Many protozoal infections cause what?
diarrhea (fecal-oral) route
Where are you less likely to find parasitic infections?
- in the US
What are the risk factors for diarrhea related to protozoan infection? (when to test)
- travel to endemic countries
- drinking untreated water, even while hiking in the US
- swimming in poorly treated public pools where diarrhea has been present
- working with animals or on a farm
- exposure in daycare
- handling or playing
After how many days of persistent diarrhea should you test for parasites?
after 7 days
What is a flagellated protozoan that causes vaginitis and cervicitis and is acquired through sexual contact?
Trichomonas vaginalis
What is a protozoal infection that can cause fever, myalgias, and fetal consequences and is acquired through contact with cat fecal matter?
Toxoplasma gondii
What protozoal infection causes Chagas disease, is acquired through bite of a reduviid bug “kissing bug” and causes multi-organ consequences, including possible sudden cardiac death?
Trypanosoma cruzi
What does plasmodium falciparum cause?
malaria
How is plasmodium falciparum acquired and where does it live?
through mosquito bile in specific countries (lives in the saliva of a mosquito)