Parasitic infections

Question 1

how do you classify parasite?

Answer 1

endoparasites: exist inside host
ectoparasites: exist on host

Question 2

how do you divide within endoparasite?

describe how they differ

Answer 2

protozoa

• single called
• eukaryotes
• no eosinophilia
• insect vector - malaria

metazoa:

• multicellular
• helminth, worms
• eosinophilia
• free living, intermediate host, insect vector

Question 3

examples of protozoa

Answer 3

amoeba
coccidia
ciliates
flagellates

Question 4

examples of metazoa

Answer 4

roundworm
flatworm
flukes

Question 5

symptoms of amoeba

Answer 5

most asymptomatic

dysentery
amoebic liver abscess

Question 6

symptoms of coccidia

Answer 6

malaria (plasmodium): fever, headache, vomiting, chills muscle pain
- complications: severe anaemia, cerebral malaria(swelling of brain, seizures, coma), liver/kidney failure, swelling of spleen, shock, pulmonary oedema

toxoplasmosis: fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes
- immunocompromised: CNS disease, brain lesions, pneumonitis

cryptosporidiosis: fever, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting

Question 7

symptoms of ciliates

Answer 7

balantidiasis: most asymptomatic
- immunocompromised: persistent diarrhoea, dysentery, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss -> perforation of colon

Question 8

symptoms of flagellates

Answer 8

trichomoniasis: discharge & dysuria (both M and F), vulval itching, vulval ulceration, offensive odour, low abdominal discomfort
- complications: preterm delivery, low birth weight

giardiasis: most asymptomatic
- diarrhoea, greasy stool, abdominal cramps, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, dehydration

Question 9

symptoms of roundworms

Answer 9

ascariasis: asymptomatic
abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction
malnourishment
Loeffler’s pneumonia

iron deficiency anaemia: cardiac complications, respiratory symptoms, local skin manifestation

bloody diarrhoea & anaemia: severe vitamin & iron loss, inflammation, rectal prolapse

lymphatic filariasis: lymphatic obstruction -> elephantiasis

loaiasis (smth wriggling in vision)

Question 10

symptoms of flatworm

Answer 10

cysticercosis: asymptomatic

abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, upset stomach

Question 11

symptoms of flukes

Answer 11

schistosomiasis:

• rash/itchy skin
• asymptomatic -> fever, shills, cough, muscle aches -> inflammation, scarring -> anaemia, malnutrition, learning difficulties

Question 12

symptoms of ectoparasites

Answer 12

scabies: rash, burrows
lice: head/body/crab louse