Protozoa Flashcards
Motile form of protozoa
Trophozoite
Form that protozoa takes when exposed to new environments such as temperature changes down the intestinal tract. The protozoa can secrete a protective coat and shrink into this round armored form
Cyst
What are the five intestinal protozoa that cause diarrhea?
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Giardia lamblia
- Cyclosporancayetanesis
- Cryptosporidium
- Isospora belli
Clinical manifestation of entamoeba histolytica
Usually asymptomatic
Can cause bloody diarrhea (10%)
Can cause liver abscess
Who are commonly asymptomatic carriers of entamoeba histolytica
Homosexual men
Most sensitive diagnostic test for entamoeba histolytica
Antigen detection from stool or serum
What is metronidazole (flagyl) used for
Entamoeba histolytica
Giardia lamblia
Trichomonas vaginalis
Bacteroides fragilis
C. Diff
Gardnerella vaginalis
How many us adults are estimated to carry giardia asymptomatically?
5%
Describe giardia stools
Packed with fat
Smell horrible
Greasy, frothy diarrhea
Is there blood in the stool with the giardia infection?
No
Diagnosis of giardia
Examination of stool for cysts or trophozoites
Immunoassay to detect giardia antigens in stool
Protozoa that causes severe protracted diarrhea that is life threatening in people with AIDS, cancer patients, or organ transplant recipients that are receiving immunosuppressive therapy
Cryptosporidium
Treatment for cryptosporidium in immunocompromised patients
No specific treatment for protozoa but goal to restore immunity (ie antiretroviral treatment AIDS pts)
Protozoa that’s been associated with outbreaks from contaminated raspberries
Cyclospora
Protozoa that are acid fast and cause diarrhea and immunocompromised individuals
Isospora and cyclospora
How to treat isospora and cyclospora
Tmp-smp
Protozoa that is sexually transmitted
Trichomonas vaginalis
Test for trichomonas vaginalis
Microscopic examination of vaginal discharge on a wet mount
Symptoms of trichomonas vaginalis
Itching
Burning urination
Vaginal secretion
Treatment for Trachomonas vaginalis
Metronidazole
What are the protozoas that can cause meningitis and be life-threatening? They live in freshwater lakes
Naegleria fowleri
Acanthamoeba
Balamuthia mandrillaris
This protozoa will kill 95% of patients it infects within 1 week
Naegleria fowleri
Responsible for chronic granulomatous, brain infection in immunocompromised patients
Acanthamoeba
Protozoa that causes corneal infection of contact lenses not cleaned properly
Acanthamoeba