Parasitology Flashcards
What are protozoa?
Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that can be free-living or parasitic, often causing diseases in humans.
What are the four main classifications of protozoa?
- Mastigophora (Flagellates)
- Sarcodina (Amoebae)
- Ciliophora (Ciliates)
- Apicomplexa (Sporozoans)
What are the main transmission routes for protozoan parasites?Fecal-oral, vector-borne, sexual transmission, and direct contact.
Fecal-oral, vector-borne, sexual transmission, and direct contact.
Which protozoan species cause malaria in humans?
Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi.
What is the main treatment for Giardia duodenalis infection?
Metronidazole.
Giardia duodenalis is transmitted via
the fecal-oral route and can survive in contaminated water.
Plasmodium spp. are transmitted by
Anopheles mosquitoes.
Malaria symptoms include
fever, chills, anemia, and organ damage.
Giardia duodenalis has two life stages:
cyst (infective) and trophozoite (active feeding stage).
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are commonly used to detect
malaria and Giardia infections.
Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest species of malaria parasite.
True
Giardia duodenalis has a direct lifecycle without a cyst stage.
False – it has both cyst and trophozoite stages.
All Plasmodium species infect humans equally.
False – different species vary in severity and prevalence.
Metronidazole is commonly used to treat malaria.
False – malaria is treated with antimalarials like artemisinin-based therapies.
The parasite responsible for causing giardiasis is ______________.
Giardia duodenalis
The primary vector for malaria is the ______________ mosquito.
Anopheles
Plasmodium spp. first infect the ______________ before entering the bloodstream.
Liver
Giardia duodenalis infection is diagnosed using ______________ testing of stool samples.
Microscopy, antigen detection, or PCR
Which life stage of Giardia duodenalis is infective?
a) Trophozoite
b) Cyst
c) Gametocyte
d) Schizont
Answer: (b) Cyst
Which Plasmodium species can remain dormant in the liver?
a) P. falciparum
b) P. malariae
c) P. vivax and P. ovale
d) P. knowlesi
Answer: (c) P. vivax and P. ovale
What is the hallmark symptom of giardiasis?
a) Bloody diarrhea
b) Watery diarrhea with a foul-smelling odor
c) Constipation
d) Skin rash
Answer: (b) Watery diarrhea with a foul-smelling odor
A traveler returns from Africa with recurring fever, chills, and anemia. A blood smear shows ring-form trophozoites inside red blood cells. What is the likely diagnosis?
Malaria caused by Plasmodium spp.
A patient presents with prolonged diarrhea and weight loss. Stool analysis reveals cysts with two nuclei. What is the likely parasite?Giardia duodenalis.
Giardia duodenalis.
A child in a rural village experiences persistent vomiting and diarrhea after drinking untreated water. What laboratory tests should be performed?
Stool microscopy, antigen detection, and PCR for Giardia duodenalis.
Protozoa:
Single-celled eukaryotic microorganisms, some of which are parasitic.
Vector:
An organism, often an arthropod, that transmits a pathogen (e.g., Anopheles mosquito for malaria).
Cyst:
A dormant, resistant form of certain protozoa that can survive outside the host.
Trophozoite:
The active, feeding stage of protozoan parasites.
Oocyst:
The encysted stage of some protozoan parasites, important for transmission (e.g., Plasmodium inside mosquitoes).
Oocyst:
The encysted stage of some protozoan parasites, important for transmission (e.g., Plasmodium inside mosquitoes).
