Parasitology I: Protozoans Flashcards
What is the distribution of Cryptosporidium hominis?
Global
What is the infectious and diagnostic stage of Cryptosporidium hominis?
Oocyst
What is the route of transmission of Cryptosporidium hominis?
Fecal-oral
What is the basic life cycle of Cryptosporidium hominis?
Oocysts in poop are ingested. Goes down GI tract and releases sporozoites. Trophozoites attach to microvilli of small intestine and wreck havoc.
Which stage of the life cycle causes all of the damage in Cryptosporidium hominis?
Trophozoites
What are the groups most at risk for Cryptosporidium hominis?
Elderly, young, immunocompromised, or pregnant
What is the incubation period of Cryptosporidium hominis?
2-10 days
What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidium hominis?
A week of watery diarrhea
Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium hominis
Test for Ova and Parasites
Modified acid-fast stain of stool samples (oocyst retains the dye)
Immunofluorescence using anti-C. hominis antibodies
Treatment for Cryptosporidium hominis
Nitrazoxanide (targets anaerobic metabolism)
What is the distribution of Cyclospora cayetanensis?
Global. Commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
What is the only host of Cyclospora cayetanensis?
Humans
What is the transmission of cyclospora cayetanensis?
Fecal-oral
What is the infectious and diagnostic stage of cyclospora cayetanensis?
Oocyst
What are the groups that are most at risk for an infection with Cyclospora cayetanensis?
People eating imported foods (human feces used as fertilizer in other countries)
People traveling to countries other than the U.S. or Canada
Diagnosis of Cyclospora cayetanensis
Stool acid-fast stain (Variably acid-fast!)
Symptoms of Cyclospora cayetanensis
Watery diarrhea (most common) Other GI symptoms
What are the major differences between Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium?
1) Cyclospora is variably acid fast wheras cryptosporidium is acid-fast
2) Cyclospora is twice the size of cryptosporidium
What is the treatment of Cyclospora cayetanensis?
Sulfa-Trimethoprim
What is the infectious stage of Toxoplasma gondii?
Oocyst
What is the diagnostic stage of Toxoplasma gondii?
Cysts in the tissues
Who gets Toxoplasma gondii?
Those who clean cat litter and those who eat raw/undercooked meat. Immunocompromised and preganant women at high risk
What are the symptoms of Toxoplasma gondii?
Immunocompetant: Asymptommatic
Immunocompromised: Fatigue, Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever/headache, muscle aches, poor coordination/blurred vision, severe eye infections, and enlarge liver/spleen
Diagnosis of Toxoplasma Gondii
Primary method: Serology (look for antibodies)
PCR
Biopsied tissue
What are Toxoplasma gondii’s effects on the brain?
Causes multiple lesions that have a preference for the basal ganglia. In immunocompromised patients, toxoplasmosis is the most common cause of brain abscess
Treatment
Pyrimethamine + Sulfonamides +Leucovorin
**Pyrimethamine is teratogenic, so spiramycin should be used instead in the first trimester
Where does Babesia microti normally exist?
Northeast United States
What is the infectious stage of Babesia microti?
Sporozoite
What is the diagnostic stage of Babesia microti?
Trophozoite
What groups are at risk for infection with Babesia microti?
Individuals who spend time outdoors where ticks dwell
Splenectomized individuals
Immunodeficient individuals
Blood transfusion recipients
Symptoms of Babesia microti
Most are asymptomatic
Some develop flu-like symptoms, jaundice, hemolytic anemia