PMLS Flashcards
What is a parasite?
Any organism that depends on another organism for shelter and nourishment.
What is a host?
Any organism that supports a parasite?
What is a definitive host?
Harbors the adult stage of the parasite and undergoes sexual reproduction.
What is an intermediate host?
Harbors the larval form
What do you mean by mode of transmission?
How a parasite successfully enters a susceptible host.
What are pathogenic parasites?
Disease-causing parasites.
What are nonpathogenic parasites?
Do not harm the host.
What is an endoparasite?
Found inside the body of a host.
causes an infection.
What is an ectoparasite?
Thrives externally on a host, causes infestation.
What is Eosinophilia?
Increase in eosinophil count, presence of charcot-leyden cyrstals.
Is Amoeba a major group of medically-important parasites?
Yes
What is Entamoeba histolytica?
only pathogenic amoeba in the GIT
causes amoebic colitis and intestinal amoebiases.
What is amoebic colitis?
abdominal cramping, anorexia, fatigue and diarrhea
Intestinal amoebiasis
manifests as dysentery
What is the mode of transmission of Entamoeba histolytica?
infective cysts passed in the stool/feces
How do we diagnose the presence of Entamoeba histolytica?
Stool exam
Are Flagellates a major group of medically-important parasites?
Yes
What are flagellates?
with whip-like structures, demonstrates trophozoites, not all are capable of encystation
What are the flagellates that are not capable of encystation?
Trichomonas vaginalis
T.hominis
T.tenax
D.fragilis
These flagellates specifically hemoflagellates thrive in the small intestine.
Trypanosoma spp.
Leishmania spp.
What is Giardia lamblia?
It is a parasite that causes Giardiasis.
What is Giardiasis?
It is a disease caused by Giardia lamblia that exhibits acute diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss.
What is the mode of transmission of Giardia lamblia?
ingestion of contaminated food and water.
What is the test to diagnose the presence of Giardia lamblia?
Stool exam
