Protozoa Flashcards
Protozoa
Protozoan = Singular
Protozoans/ Protozoa = plural
Characteristics of Protozoa
Unicellular (one-celled) organisms
Eukaryotic (true nucleus)
Infect a variety of Tissue sites
Protozoa that infect blood are called what?
Hemoprotozoa
Protozoans that infect feces are called what?
Intestinal protozoa
What is the intermediate host of protozoa?
Ticks
Especially hemoprotozoa
What are the two stages of protozoa?
Trophozoites
Cysts
Trophozoites
Motile
Feeding stage
Fragile
Cysts
The reproductive version of an ova or egg
Can survive in harsh conditions
How do protozoa reproduce?
Asexually or sexually
Individuals are hermaphroditic
What are some of the diseases a protozoal infection cause in humans?
Malaria Giardiasis Toxoplasmosis Cryptosporidiosis Chagas disease
How do we classify protozoa?
By the organelles used for locomotion
Flagella
Long whiplike structure
Cilia
Short flagella arranged in rows or tufts
“Fingers”
Pseudopodia
Temporary extensions and retractions of the body wall
Undulatory ridges
Small snakelike waves that form in the cell membrane and move posteriorly
What is the prepatent period for Giardia?
5-7 days
How do you diagnosis giardia?
Fecal float
direct smear
Fecal antigen SNAP Test
What does a fecal float help identify when looking for Giardia?
Cysts
Can stain with Lugol’s iodine
What does a direct smear help diagnosis when looking for Giardia spp?
Trophozoites
Fecal antigen SNAP test?
Antigen looks for protein from Giardia
Is Giardia reinfection common?
Yes
Bathe during treatment to help
Is zoonosis possible with Giardia?
Yes. Humans get it from other humans
Not usually from dogs or cats
What does the trophozoite Giardia look like?
Pear shaped Dorsoventrally flattened Four pairs of flagella Two nuclei resemble a pair of eyes Use 40x
What does the cyst Giardia look like?
Oval with a slit on the inside
Use 40x
