Parasitology I: Protozoans Flashcards

1
Q

What is the distribution of Cryptosporidium hominis?

A

Global

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the infectious and diagnostic stage of Cryptosporidium hominis?

A

Oocyst

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the route of transmission of Cryptosporidium hominis?

A

Fecal-oral

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the basic life cycle of Cryptosporidium hominis?

A

Oocysts in poop are ingested. Goes down GI tract and releases sporozoites. Trophozoites attach to microvilli of small intestine and wreck havoc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which stage of the life cycle causes all of the damage in Cryptosporidium hominis?

A

Trophozoites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the groups most at risk for Cryptosporidium hominis?

A

Elderly, young, immunocompromised, or pregnant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the incubation period of Cryptosporidium hominis?

A

2-10 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidium hominis?

A

A week of watery diarrhea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium hominis

A

Test for Ova and Parasites
Modified acid-fast stain of stool samples (oocyst retains the dye)
Immunofluorescence using anti-C. hominis antibodies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Treatment for Cryptosporidium hominis

A

Nitrazoxanide (targets anaerobic metabolism)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the distribution of Cyclospora cayetanensis?

A

Global. Commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the only host of Cyclospora cayetanensis?

A

Humans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the transmission of cyclospora cayetanensis?

A

Fecal-oral

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the infectious and diagnostic stage of cyclospora cayetanensis?

A

Oocyst

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the groups that are most at risk for an infection with Cyclospora cayetanensis?

A

People eating imported foods (human feces used as fertilizer in other countries)
People traveling to countries other than the U.S. or Canada

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Diagnosis of Cyclospora cayetanensis

A

Stool acid-fast stain (Variably acid-fast!)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Symptoms of Cyclospora cayetanensis

A
Watery diarrhea (most common)
Other GI symptoms
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the major differences between Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium?

A

1) Cyclospora is variably acid fast wheras cryptosporidium is acid-fast
2) Cyclospora is twice the size of cryptosporidium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the treatment of Cyclospora cayetanensis?

A

Sulfa-Trimethoprim

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the infectious stage of Toxoplasma gondii?

A

Oocyst

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the diagnostic stage of Toxoplasma gondii?

A

Cysts in the tissues

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Who gets Toxoplasma gondii?

A

Those who clean cat litter and those who eat raw/undercooked meat. Immunocompromised and preganant women at high risk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the symptoms of Toxoplasma gondii?

A

Immunocompetant: Asymptommatic
Immunocompromised: Fatigue, Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever/headache, muscle aches, poor coordination/blurred vision, severe eye infections, and enlarge liver/spleen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Diagnosis of Toxoplasma Gondii

A

Primary method: Serology (look for antibodies)
PCR
Biopsied tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are Toxoplasma gondii’s effects on the brain?

A

Causes multiple lesions that have a preference for the basal ganglia. In immunocompromised patients, toxoplasmosis is the most common cause of brain abscess

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Treatment

A

Pyrimethamine + Sulfonamides +Leucovorin

**Pyrimethamine is teratogenic, so spiramycin should be used instead in the first trimester

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Where does Babesia microti normally exist?

A

Northeast United States

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is the infectious stage of Babesia microti?

A

Sporozoite

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is the diagnostic stage of Babesia microti?

A

Trophozoite

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What groups are at risk for infection with Babesia microti?

A

Individuals who spend time outdoors where ticks dwell
Splenectomized individuals
Immunodeficient individuals
Blood transfusion recipients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Symptoms of Babesia microti

A

Most are asymptomatic

Some develop flu-like symptoms, jaundice, hemolytic anemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Diagnosis of Babesia microti

A

Look for the Maltese Cross on blood smears (tetrad while dividing)

33
Q

Treatment of Babesia microti

A

Cominations of drugs:
Atovaquone+Azithromycin
Clindamycin+Quinine

34
Q

What is the infectious stage of Plasmodium?

A

Sporozoite (via Anopheles mosquito)

35
Q

What is the diagnostic stage of Plasmodium?

A

Trophozoite

36
Q

What are the symptoms of Plasmodium?

A

Dark color urine (hemoglobin), enlarged spleen, anemia,jaundice

37
Q

What can P. falciparum cause?

A

Cerebral malaria (high mortality)

38
Q

Diagnosis of Plasmodium

A

Blood smears visualized with Wright’s stain or Giemsa
Card-based antigen detection: OptiMAL
Banana-shaped nucleus indicated P. falciparum

39
Q

What does a banana-shaped nucleus indicate?

A

P. falciparum

40
Q

Treatment of Plasmodium

A

Chloroquine, Mefloquine, Halofantrine

41
Q

What kind of protozoan is Naegleria?

A

Rhizopod

42
Q

Where is Naegleria most commonly found?

A

Southern States. Kids and young adults get in swimming in fresh water during heat waves.

43
Q

What is the infective form of Naegleria?

A

Trophozoite

44
Q

What is the diagnostic form of Naegleria?

A

Trophozoite in CSF

45
Q

Is the cyst form of Naegleria transmissible?

A

No

46
Q

What does Naegleria cause?

A

Primary Amoebic Meningocephalitis (eats brain tissue)

47
Q

What is the the treatment for Naegleria?

A

Amphotericin B, Miconazole, Rifampin

48
Q

What does Acanthamoeba cause?

A

Keratitis of the eye and Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (focal lesions are common)

49
Q

How is Acanthamoeba usually transmitted?

A

Through wounds on the skin/ contact lenses

50
Q

Diagnosis for Acanthamoeba and Naegleria

A

Lumbar puncture

H&E Stain in Post-mortem tissue

51
Q

Where does Entamoeba histolytica occur?

A

More common in tropical regions and areas of poor sanitation

52
Q

How is Entamoeba histolytica transmitted?

A

Through human feces

53
Q

What are the symptoms of Entamoeba histolytica?

A

Begin 2-4 weeks after infection and are usually minimal or asymptomatic
Mucosal ulceration is flask-shaped
Pathogen can go extra-intestinal and infect the liver
Abscesses can occur in the liver

54
Q

What is the Diagnosis for E. histolytica?

A

ID of E. histolytica in the stool

E. histolytica antigen tests

55
Q

What is the treatment for E. histolytica?

A

Metronidazole+diloxanide

Dehydroemetine for severe extra-intestinal infections

56
Q

Does Trichomonas vaginalis have a cyst form?

A

No

57
Q

How is Trichomonas vaginalis transmitted?

A

The trophozoite form is introduced during sexual intercourse, and it replicates within the genital tract

58
Q

Symptoms of Trichomonas vaginalis

A

Women- persistant vaginitis, yellow-green discharge, foul odor
Men- Usually asymptomatic, painful urination, sterility

59
Q

Diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis

A

Metronidazole or Tinidazole

60
Q

What is the most commonly identified intestinal parasite in the United States?

A

Giardia intestinalis

61
Q

Where is Giardia intestinalis usually found?

A

Warmer climates

62
Q

What is the transmission of Giardia intestinalis?

A

Infectious cysts are introduced via fecal-oral route, trophozoites form in the small intestine

63
Q

Who is at risk for Giardia intestinalis?

A

Children wearing diapers
People drinking contaminated water
Swallowing water while swimming

64
Q

What are the symptoms of Giardia intestinalis?

A

Symptoms begin 1-3 days after infection
Diarrhea lasting up to 4 weeks (foul smelling, greasy stools)
Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting

65
Q

How do you diagnose Giardia intestinalis?

A

Identify cysts in the stool (Iodine stain) and ID trophozoites in diarrheal stools (Giemsa Stain)

66
Q

What is the treatment for Giardia?

A

Tinidazole, Quinacrine, hydrochloride, Metronidazole

67
Q

What is the distribution of Leischmania?

A

Mexico and the Middle East

68
Q

What is the transmission of Leischmania?

A

Bitten by a sandfly which introduces a metacyclic promastigote into the host

69
Q

Who is at risk for a Leischmania infection?

A

Travelers or military personnel going to the Middle East

70
Q

What are the symptoms of Leischmania?

A

Cutaneous- Least severe. Crater on the forehead
Mucocutaneous- Painful metastatic mucosal lesions of the mouth and nose
Visceral- Most severe. Delayed onset for months to years. Enlarged lymph nodes and liver. Massively enlarged spleen, edema

71
Q

Diagnosis for Leischmania?

A

Microscopic evaluation of parasites

72
Q

Treatment for Leischmania?

A

Pentavalent antimonials (Glucantime and Pentostam)
Amphotericin B
Paromomycin

73
Q

What is the distribution of Trypanosoma Cruzi (Chagas Disease)?

A

Central and South America

74
Q

What is the transmission of Trypanosoma Cruzi?

A

A Triatome bug bites and defecates T. cruzi into you

75
Q

What is the pathogenesis of T. cruzi?

A

Trypmastigotes transform into amastigotes, they transform back and trypmastigotes burst out of the cells and enter the bloodstream

76
Q

What are the symptoms of Chagas Disease (T.cruzi)?

A

Acute phase: Periorbital swelling, myocarditis, encephalitis

Chronic form: Megacolon and megaesophagus

77
Q

Diagnosis of Chagas Disease

A

Periorbital swelling (Romana’s sign), detection of parasites in a blood smear, serology

78
Q

Treatment of Chagas Disease (T. cruzi)?

A

Nifurtimox

Benznidazole