Parasitic Protozoa Flashcards
Invertebrate Parasites can cause infections in humans via 3 ways:
Food
Water
Vectors
Worms are
Parasitic Helminths
Where are tapeworms found and what’s it’s scientific name. Also, state it’s treatment
Taneia Spp. Found in Pigs and Cattle. Albendazole is an effective antihelminth
Key Features of Parasitic Protozoa
Unicellular Eukaryotes
100-150 microns in size
Disease of both tropics and subtopics
Complex life cycles involving different hosts & morphological forms
Immature forms in intermediate hosts and mature forms in definitive hosts
name a parasite that affects the CNS
Malaria OR Amebae OR Toxoplasma OR Trypanosomes
name a parasite that affects the urinogenital tract
Trichomonas
Name a parasite that affects the liver
Leishmana or Entamoeba
Name a parasite that affects the intestine
Entamoeba + Trichomonas
Leishmana
Affects the skin
Transmission relies on survival outside of host, achieved by:
- Faecal-Oral Route
shedding of larvae -> eggs, cysts in faeces - Vectors
- New hosts actively sought by invasive parasites
After a cyst transforms it is initially a
Trophozoite
Treatment of Ciliates
Tetracycline - protein synthesis inhibitors that kills gut bacterial flora. kills food parasite is eating so makes environment less supportive
How are parasites grouped?
By Morphology (shape)
Treatment of Amoebae (e.g Entamoeba histolytica)
Metronidazole (becomes reduces in parasitic cells forming a free radical, damaging macromolecules and DNA)
Treatment of Flagellates (e.g Trypanosoma brucei)
Suramin - selective binding and inhibition of parasite proteins
