Parasitology Pt 2 Flashcards
3 Classes of Helminths
- Nematodes (roundworms)
- Cestodes (tapeworms)
- Trematodes (flukes)
Nematodes (Roundworms)
- Enterobius vermicularis
(human pinworm) - Ascaris lumbricoides & suum
(intestinal roundworms of humans & pigs) - Hookworms
- Toxocara canis & catti
- Ancylostoma braziliensis - Trichuris species
(whipworms) - Dracunculus medinensis
(Guinea worm) - Filariae
- Wuchereria bancrofti
- W. (Brugia) malayi
- Onchocerca volvulus
- Loa loa (eyeworm)
Cestodes (Tapeworms)
Flat/ribbon-shaped, segmented bodies
Proglottids
(reproductive segments containing both F & M sex organs)
No digestive system
(absorbs nutrients)
Transmitted via ingestion of contaminated undercooked meat OR fleas infected with dog/cat tapeworms
Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)
Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)
Pig = 1st intermediate host
1. Ingests embryonated ovum from human feces
2. Cysticercus develops in flesh (burrows/forms cysts in tissue)
Human = 2nd intermediate host
(definitive host)
3. Ingests pork containing cysticerci
4. Cysticercus develops into mature tapeworm in small intestine
5. Ova & ova-filled proglottids passed in human feces
Neurocysticercosis
- Eggs hatch & form cyst in brain
Trematodes (Flukes)
Bilaterally symmetrical flat/leaf-shaped
Suckers
(allow attachment while fluid withdrawn)
Can burrow through skin
Hermaphroditic
Life cycle includes 1 or more intermediate hosts (after escapes from egg )
- Larval form = within egg
- Cercariae = last stage
Schistosoma species
Schistosoma species
Hermaphroditic
Snail = 1st intermediate host
1. Miracidium hatches from eggs in freshwater & infects
2. Cercariae leave snail
Human = 2nd intermediate host
(definitive host)
3. Cercariae penetrates skin (in water)
4. Immature worm enters bloodstream & ends up in veins near intestine or bladder
5. Reach sexual maturity in veins of abdominal cavity
6. Females produce eggs
7. Eggs enter intestinal tract or bladder
8. Eggs passed in urine or feces into freshwater
Penetration of skin causes itching
Eggs become encapsulated in liver, lungs, brain
- Block portal veinous system
Molecular mimicry (adult worms)
- Incorporate host antigens on surface
Diagnosed by eggs in urine (S. haemotobium) or feces (S. mansoni or S. japonium)
High mortality rate
Enterobius vermicularis
Human pinworm
- Very common infection (North America & Europe)
Symptoms:
1. Mild GI upsets
2. Perianal itching
3. Irritability
4. Insomnia
5. Vaginal irritation (adult pinworms)
Diagnosed by eggs (scotch tape test) or worms (flashlight) on perianal area
Enterobius vermicularis:
Life Cycle
- Human infected when ingest eggs
- Eggs hatch in small intestine
- Worms migrate to large intestine & reach sexual maturity
- Females crawl out of anus & deposit eggs on perianal skin
- RETROINFECTION (eggs hatch & juveniles crawl back into anus to mature into adults) - Eggs become infective within 6 hrs
- Hands, bed clothing/linens, etc. contaminated with infective eggs
Ascaris lumbricoides & suum
Intestinal roundworms of humans & pigs
Most common nematode infection world-wide
Symptoms:
1. Ascaris pneumonia
2. Blockage of GI tract
3. Acute (fatal) peritonitis &/or blockage of bile/pancreatic duct
Diagnosed by eggs in feces of infected person
Ascaris lumbricoides & suum:
Life Cycle
- Eggs ingested by host
- Eggs hatch in small intestine
- Juveniles penetrate tissues of intestine & enter bloodstream
- Juveniles migrate to lungs & molt into 3rd stage juveniles
- 3rd stage juveniles migrate from pulmonary capillaries into alveoli
- “Coughed up” & swallowed
- Complete development into adults in small intestine
- Females produce eggs
- Eggs passed in host feces
- Juveniles within eggs mature to infective (2nd) stage
Toxocara canis & catti (hookworms)
Visceral larva migrans
Eggs from feces of infected dogs/cats ingested by human
- Hatch in intestine
- Can penetrate mucosa & enter circulation
Carried to:
- Liver
- Lungs
- Eyes
- Other organs
Cause inflammatory necrosis
Ancylostoma braziliense (hookworms)
Cutaneous larval migrans
- “Creeping eruption”
- Prevalent in tropical/subtropical countries & US
Filariform larvae in dog/cat feces infect humans
- Intestinal parasite of dogs/cats
- Contact with contaminated soil
Causes skin eruptions
- Migrates in skin (larvae move around)
Symptoms last 2-10 weeks (duration of larval persistence)
Prevention:
1. Treat pets
2. Wear shoes outside
3. Clean up after dogs/cats
Hookworms:
Life Cycle
(Necator spp. & Ancylostoma spp.)
- Infective juveniles penetrate skin
- Migrate via blood to lungs (coughed up & swallowed) - Juveniles enter small intestine
- Attach to surface
- Mature to adult forms - Adult hookworms attach to lining of small intestine
- Feed on blood - Females produce eggs
- Eggs passed in feces - Eggs hatch in soil
- Juveniles develop into infective (3rd) stage
Trichuris species (whipworm)
Live in large intestine
- Anterior end embeds in cells of lining
Can live long time
- Constant reinfection & heavy worm burdens
Symptoms:
1. Diarrhea
2. Dysentery
3. Anemia
Heavy worm infection in children lead to mental & physical retardation
Diagnosed by eggs in feces
Trichuris species:
Life Cycle
- Eggs ingested by host
- Eggs hatch in small intestine
- Juveniles migrate to large intestine
- Males & females reach sexual maturity & mate
- Adults in large intestine
- Eggs passed in feces
- Juveniles within eggs mature into infective juveniles
Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm)
Host infected by drinking water containing infected copepods (intermediate host)
Can live in body 1-2 years
Dies & causes little reaction if doesn’t reach skin
In superficial tissue:
- Liberates toxic substance that produces local inflammatory reaction (sterile blister)
- Worm lies beneath blister
Contamination of blister produces:
- Abscesses
- Cellulitis
- Ulceration
- Necrosis
Removal strategy = pour water on blister