Parasitology Intestinal Protozoa Flashcards

1
Q

Defining characteristics of amoebae

A

Contain pseudopodia (cytoplasmic protrusions) free living, pathogenic/non-pathogenic. found in the intestinal tract and other areas. motile trophozoites may be observed in stool as well as non-parasitic structures

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2
Q

Defining characteristics of flagellates

A

Contain flagella (extensions used for movement). Genera may live in the gastro intestinal tract, genitourinary tract, blood stream, or tissues

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3
Q

Defining characteristics of sporozoa

A

Unicellular with apical complex. In the gastrointestinal tract of vertebrates throughout life (isospora, cyclospora, & cryptosporidium) and cyst forming coccidia (extra intestinal development)

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4
Q

Defining characteristics of microsporidia

A

Obligate intracellular, spore-forming parasite. Display characteristics of prokaryotes (fungi). Are acquired from the inhalation or ingestion of spores

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5
Q

What are the 3 key virulence factors of Entamoeba histolytica?

A
  1. amebic lectin: binds parasite to galactose-containing sugars on host cells
  2. amoebapores: adherence-dependent cytolysis
  3. cysteine protease
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6
Q

What are the two Entamoeba species that are microscopically indistinguishable? How can they be differentiated? Why is it important to differentiate these?

A

Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. Entamoeba histolytica may contain RBC and causes dysentery. Patients should not be treated unless they are confirmed to have Entamoeba histolytica

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7
Q

What is the number of nuclei and measurement of Entamoeba histolytica cysts?

A

Mature cysts have 4 nuclei. Cysts measure 12 to 15 µm

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8
Q

Describe the trophozoite of Entamoeba histolytica.

A

single nucleus with centrally placed karyosome. Uniformly distributed peripheral chromatin. cytoplasm has a granular or “ground glass” appearance. measure 15 - 20 µm. Ingested RBC

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9
Q

Describe the trophozoite of Entamoeba dispar.

A

single nucleus with centrally placed karyosome. Uniformly distributed peripheral chromatin. cytoplasm has a granular or “ground glass” appearance. measure 15 - 20 µm.

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10
Q

What is the number of nuclei and measurement of Entamoeba dispar cysts?

A

Mature cysts have 4 nuclei. Cysts measure 12 to 15 µm

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11
Q

What is the only Entamoeba species with more than four nuclei in the cyst stage?

A

Entamoeba coli

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12
Q

True or False: It is relatively easy to distinguish Iodamoeba buetschlii trophozoites from Endolimax nana trophozoites.

A

False

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13
Q

What is the only species of Entamoeba that ingests white blood cells?

A

Entamoeba gingivalis

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14
Q

What is the treatment regimen for Entamoeba coli?

A

none

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15
Q

What is the treatment regimen for Iodamoeba buetschlii

A

none

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16
Q

What are the three tests that can be used to diagnose Blastocystis hominis?

A
  1. Routine stool examination
  2. Antigen detection using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs)
  3. Antibody detection using ELISA and fluorescent antibody tests
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17
Q

Describe the microscopic morphology of Blastocystis hominis.

A

Spherical to oval cyst-like structures. central body or “vacuole” surrounded by a thin rim of cytoplasm containing up to 6 nuclei

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18
Q

What is the number of nuclei and measurement of Entamoeba dispar cysts?

A

Mature cysts have 4 nuclei. Cysts measure 12 to 15

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19
Q

Describe Entamoeba coli trophozoites

A

Measure: 15-50 µm
Nucleus: single nucleus with large eccentric karyosome and course irregular peripheral chromatin
Cytoplasm: coarsely granular and vacuolated
Pseudopodia: short and blunt and movement is nondirectional

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20
Q

Describe Entamoeba coli cysts

A

Measure: 10-35 μm
Nucleus: 8 to 16 nuclei with compact or diffuse karyosome with coarse irregular peripheral chromatin
Cytoplasm: diffuse glycogen

21
Q

Describe Endolimax nana trophozoites

A

Measure: 6-12 μm
Nucleus: single nucleus with large irregularly shaped karyosome and no peripheral chromatin
Cytoplasm: granular and highly vacuolated
Difficult to distinguish from Iodamoeba buetschlii

22
Q

Describe Endolimax nana cysts

A

Measure: 5-10 μm
Nucleus: 4 nuclei with large karyosome with no peripheral chromatin. Visible in iodine-stained wet mounts
Cytoplasm: diffuse glycogen lacks chromatoid bodies

23
Q

Describe Iodamoeba buetschlii trophozoite

A

Measure: 8-20 μm
Nucleus: single nucleus with large central karyosome and surrounded by refractile, achromatic granules
Cytoplasm: granular and highly vacuolated. movement is sluggish and non-progressive
Difficult to distinguish from Endolimax nana

24
Q

Describe Iodamoeba buetschlii cysts

A

Measure: 5-20 μm
Nucleus: single nucleus with large eccentric karyosome. Visible in iodine-stained wet mounts
Cytoplasm: large compact mass (vacuole) of glycogen

25
Q

Describe Entamoeba hartmanni trophozoite

A

Measure: 5-15 μm
Nucleus: single nucleus with small compact centrally or eccentrically-located karyosome
Cytoplasm: finely granular. Movement non-progressive

26
Q

Describe Entamoeba hartmanni cyst

A

Measure: 5-10 μm
Nucleus: 4 nuclei with small discrete centrally located karyosome
Cytoplasm: may contain diffuse glycogen
round or elongated chromatoid bodies with rounded ends

27
Q

Describe Entamoeba polecki trophozoite

A

Measure: 10-25 μm
Nucleus: single distorted/irregularly-shaped with small to minute centrally located karyosome
Cytoplasm: vacuolated, hyaline border. blunt pseudopodia may be seen

28
Q

Describe Entamoeba polecki cysts

A

Measure: 9-25 μm
Nucleus: single nucleus, binucleate forms are rarely seen. large nucleus up to 1/3 of cyst. Karyosome is pleomorphic, minute to large and compact or diffuse
Cytoplasm: inclusion mass of variable size, numerous chromatoid bodies, small to large rods with round or splintered ends

29
Q

Laboratory diagnosis of Giardia

A

antigen detection and wet mounts from multiple samples

30
Q

Characteristics of Giardia

A

Trophozoites are teardrop shaped with two large nuclei. Sucking disk and flagella may be seen
Cysts are oval to ellipsoid. Mature cysts have 4 nucli and immature cysts have 2
May be seen with iodine and trichrome-stained smears

31
Q

Vector of Dientamoeba fragilis

A

helminth eggs (e.g. Ascaris and Enterobius)

32
Q

Travel history for Diantamoeba fragilis

A

mental institutions, missionaries, and NAtive Americans in Arizona

33
Q

Vector of Chilomastix mesnil

A

fecal contamination of food or water

34
Q

Travel history for Chilomastix mesnil

A

warm clilmates

35
Q

Distinguishing characteristics of Chilomastix mesnil

A

pear shaped trophozoite. Anterior end is rounded and contains a single nucleus and a distinct oral groove.
Cysts have a typical curved cytostomal fibril called the shepherd’s crook

36
Q

Specimen of choice for Trichmonas vaginalis

A

Female: vaginal and urethral secretions
Male: anterior urethral or prostatic secretions

37
Q

Laboratory diagnosis for Trichomonas

A

wet mount and direct immunofluorescence antibody staining

38
Q

Trichomonas characteristics

A

5 flagella; 4 anterior and 1 posterior
undulating membrane that goes down 1/2 of trophozoite body
large nucleus located at wider anterior end

39
Q

Laboratory diagnosis Balantidium coli

A

routine stool examination, particularly wet mount

40
Q

Balantidium coli characteristics

A

only ciliate to infect humans.
pigs are reservoir
two nuclei in both trophozoite and cyst
anterior end is somewhat pointed and has a cytostome (primitive mouth opening)

41
Q

Naegleria fowleri infectivity

A

amoeba enter the nasal cavity and migrate to the brain
rapidly cause PAM (Primary amebic meningoencephalitis)

42
Q

Acanthamoeba infectivity

A

granulomatous amebic encephalitis: associated with underlaying disease (no freshwater contact)
Amebic keratitis: associated with direct exposure to contaminated material or solutions. wearing contacts is the leading risk factor

43
Q

Specimen of choice for Toxoplasma

A

serum samples obtained from peripheral blood are preferred

44
Q

Toxoplasma infectivity

A

raw or undercooked meat.
cats favoring the survival and spread of oocysts
soil exposure
congenital toxoplasmosis

45
Q

Specimen of choice for Babesia

A

blood

46
Q

Babesia vector

A

ticks of the genus Ixodes

47
Q

Babesia life cycle

A
  1. Tick: Sporozoites introduced into non human host
  2. non human Host: Sporozoite to trophozoite to merozoite to gamete
  3. Tick: ingests gametes
  4. Tick: fertilization in gut. sporogony to sporozoites
  5. Tick: Sporozoites introduced into human host
  6. human: Sporozoite to trophozoite to merozoite
48
Q

Trypanosoma cruzi travel history

A

the Americas from the southern US to southern Argentina. Mostly in poor rural areas of Mexico, Central America.

49
Q

Trypanosoma cruzi vector

A

triatomine bug