Parasitology introduction Flashcards
What are the factors that influence the severity ,morbidity and motility caused by parasites
- Pathology id dependent on site and mode of infection ,parasite burden and host immunity
- parasites also have an impact on the economy and social factors ( mostly in tropical areas eg SA , S America and some regions in India
define parasite
A parasite is an organism that lives in or on a host organism and benefits by deriving nutrients from the host
medical parasitology is the study of invertebrate animals capable of causing disease in human and other animals
list 3 types symbiotic relationships
- Mutualism : where both organisms benefits
- Commensalism : Where one organism benefits while the other is not harmed
parasitism : where one organism benefits and the other is not harmed
List the 6 most common Neglected Tropical Disease
- Soil -transmitted helminths ( A lumbricoides , T .trichiura ,hook worms )
- Schistosomiasis
- Lymphatic filariasis
what are neglected tropical diseases
Diverse groups of tropical infections on low income populations in developing countries
caused by pathogens ( viruses,bacteria, parasites
What are the mechanisms of damage of parasites -6
- Mechanical tissue damage
- Direct enzymatic tissue damage
- damage caused by migration or penetration
- depletion of nutrients and blood loss
- secretion of toxins
- host immune response
Types of parasites
- Protozoa (unicellular)
* amoebae(Entameoba)
- Apicomplexa(Cryptosporidium ,Plasmodium)
- Flagellates (Giardia)
- Ciliates(balantidium )
2.Metazoa (multicellular)
*Platyhelminths(flat worms)
+Trematodes(schistosoma)
+Cestodes(Taenia , Echinococcu)
- Nematodes(Ascaris ,Strongyloides)
- Aethropods/Ectoparasites (sarcoptes acabiei )
Parasite life cycles
- Direct life cycle : Transmission from one host to another host of the same species
- Indirect life cycle : life cycle involves to or more hosts of different species
* Definitive host ( sexual reproduction in host)
* Intermediate host(asexual reproduction ,larval stages)
* Accidental host (unable to complete life ccycle ) - Vectors : Carries parasite from one host to another
- Diagnostic host : A developmental stage that can be detected in stool , blood, urine ,sputum, CSF or other body secretions
Discuss the Entamoeba histolyics(protozoa : Ameobae) Epidemiology
- Infection found world wide- frequent in tropical areas
- Due to poor sanitation( faeco-oral)
- In SA ,most common cause of parasitic diarrhea
Discuss the Giadia lamblia/ intestinalis(Protozoa;flagellates) epidemeiology
- found world wide
- 5% of stool contain giardia cysts
- 50% who are infected are asymptomatic carriers who continue to excrete cysts for years
- can cause a outbreak
- Risk groups : children in day care
- In SA ,13 to 17 % prevalence - school children
Cryptosporidium parvum (Acomplexa )
- Worldwide
- resistant to normal water purification procedures eg chlorination and ozone
- High risk group : disease in immunocompromised patients can be severe ,veterinary personnel ,animal handlers and homosexuals
- Can cause outbreaks
- Asymptomatic carriage is possible
- Disease in health humans usually mild ,self limiting disease , disease in immunocompromised patients can be servere
second most common cause of diarrhoea
Blood and TISSUE PROTOZOA(Apicomplexia; Plasmodia species
*Only Plasmodium falciparum ,P.vivax ,P.ovale,Pmalariae can cause malaria
Discuss the epidemiology of malaria
*10% of population is at risk of malaria in SA
Risk region is SA includes low-laying areas of Mpumalanga ,KZN ,Limpopo
Urogenital protozoa (flagellates)
*Trichomonas vaginalis causes trichomoniasis
pathogenesis
*Sexually transmitted
located in vagina and urethra/prostate
*common sexually transmitted infection
Epidemiology
*prevalence of infection approximately 6.5%
discuss the structure and life cycle of Cestodes( metazoa : Platyhelminths )
- Strucure
* flattened , no digestive tract ,simple absorption of nutrients
* scolex(head) with sucker and hooks
* segmented hermaphroditic proglottids
2.life cycles
*Indirect life cycle
-definitive host : sexual reproduction occurs
>Taenia ; human
> Echinococcus : dog
*Intermediate host : harbourrs larval stage (cysticercus)
>Taenia solium -pig
>Taenia saginata -cattle
>Echinococcus granulosus -sheep usually :human dead accidental hosts