Protozoa Flashcards
Cytoplasm contains
Ultramicrospcopic organelles
Protozoan nuclei:
Macronucelus
Micronuclues
Long hair-like structures; characteristic of mastigophorans
Flagella
Short hair-like structures; surrounds the organism, often in rows
Cilia
Common life stage:
Trophozoit
Cyst
Dormant stages, produced by many of the protozoans
Capable of protection: During adverse environmental conditions
Generally non-feeding
Non-motile
Size: Usually smaller than trophozoites of the same species
Cyst
Metabolic stage
Active, vegetative; feeding
Capable of movement: Motility dependent on organelles
Size: Varied, ultramicroscopic to 1.0 mm
Shape: Varied, mostly subspherical; dependent upon cytoplasmic structure and organelles
Trophozoite
Cyst wall: Secreted scleroproteins (keratin-like or elastin-like albuminoids)
Glycogen vacuoles: Food storage vacuoles
Chromatoidal bodies: Composed of RNA-protein complex; crystalline; resemble viral particles; 0.3 to 1.0μm helical bodies; aggregate in crystalline array and become visible; serve as storage for Ribosomes
Cyst
Disease characteristics
Intestinal amebiasis
Non-dysenteric colitis
Amebic dysentery
Entamoeba histolytica
Tissue lysing enzymes: Cytolysins; proteolytic secretions
Ulceration: Penetration of the mucosal crypts; extension into submucosa forming FLASK-SHAPED lesions
Amebomas (amebic granulomas): Granulation tissues; tumors
Entamoeba histolytica
Collect three specimens: One every other day
Avoid contact with water or urine
Liquid stools: Examine within 30 minutes
Perform direct examination in physiological saline and Lugol’s iodine
Perform concentration technique
Lab ID:
Feces
Entamoeba histolytica
Charcot-Leyden crystals: Formed from the breakdown of eosinophilic blood cells; indication of bleeding or inflammation of the intestinal mucosa
Microspcopic examination
Entamoeba histolytica
Trophozoite form
Cytoplasm: Clean
Appearance: Finely granular
Inclusions: Occasional RBCs (in case of dysentery); few bacteria or debris in vacuoles
Lab ID:
Entamoeba histolytica
Nucleus:
Centrally located endosome
‘bulls eye’
Entamoeba histolytica
Worldwide distribution, but mostly in tropical areas with poor sanitation
Acquired through ingesting the quadrinucleate cyst on contaminated food or water.
Entamoeba histolytica
Causes amoebic dysentery. 10% extraintestinal invasion to liver, lungs, brain.
Entamoeba histolytica
Causes flask shaped ulcers
Entamoeba histolytica
Trophozoites often contain ingested RBCs (diagnostic), but need molecular testing to be sure.
Entamoeba histolytica
Often confused with Entamoeba histolytica
“Nonpathogenic”
Entamoeba Coli
Nucleus: Vesicular, dispersed type
Number: One
Peripheral chromatin: Coarse granules; irregular size and distribution
Karyosome: Small (larger than Entamoeba histolytica); usually eccentric
Entameoba coli
Cytoplasm
Appearance: Vacuolated, coarsely granular
Inclusions: Yeast (may include spores of Sphaerita), molds, bacteria, etc.
Motility: Sluggish; non-directional with blunt, poorly defined, pseudopodia
Entamoeba coli
Trophozoite form
Mature cysts of ___ ___ characteristically have eight nuclei, rarely 16.
Entamoeba coli
Nonpathogenic commensal.
Worldwide distribution
An indicator of poor hygiene.
Entamoeba coli
Cysts will have 5 or more nuclei with ECCENTRIC ENDOSOME
Entamoeba coli
Disease: Giardiasis
Giardia Lamblia
Incidence: Higher in children and young adults
Symptoms: Irritation to the intestinal mucosa Recurrent diarrhea (dehydration)
Giardia lamblia
Malabsorption
Large numbers of parasites attached to the intestinal mucosa:
Block absorption
Inhibits fat absorption:
Mechanical and chemical interference
Excludes absorption of fat soluble vitamins: Primarily VITAMIN A
Giardia lamblia
Habitat: Small intestine
Reservoir hosts: Beavers, small mammals, herbivores
Infective form: Mature quadrinucleated cyst
Mode of infection: Ingestion (may come from springs, creeks, or swimming pools
Giardia lamblia
Lab ID:
Feces and duodenal contents
Serological techniques, EIA, ELISA for antigen
Flourescent for presence in feces
Giardia lamblia
Trophozoite form: “wry little face“
Size: 9 to 20μm
Shape: Pear-shaped
Dorsal surface: Convex
Ventral surface: Concave with sucking disc
Nucleus: Two (bi-symmetrical arrangement)
Giardia lamblia
Trophozoite form: “wry little face“
Cytoplasm
Flagella: 8
Anterior: 2 (crossing at the midline)
Ventral: 4 (2 just behind the ventral notch; 2 behind the median bodies)
Caudal: 2 (extending from the posterior end)
Giardia lamblia
Worldwide distribution, common in daycare centers and institutionalized populations.
Giardia lamblia
Causes blunting of small intestinal villi and malabsorption, often of fats.
Symptoms of persistent diarrhea, gas, greasy stools, can become chronic or carriers.
Giardia lamblia
Irregular patterns of cysts and trophs in stool samples, but are diagnostic. Molecular methods are available (PCR, antigen)
Giardia lamblia
Pathogenicity
In females: Vaginitis, pruritus, strawberry cervix
In males: Urethritis, prostatovesiculitis
Habitat: Genitourinary tract
Mode of infection: Sexual contact
Trichomonas vaginalis
Lab ID:
Specimen source: Vaginal and urethral discharges, prostatic exudates
Trophozoite
Size 8 to 30μm
Flagella: 4 anterior
Undulating membrane: 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the organism
Trichomonas vaginalis
Pathogenicity: Considered nonpathogenic but often recovered from diarrheic stools
Habitat: Colon
Mode of infection: Ingestion, direct contact/sexual contact (prominent in homosexual communities)
Pentatrichomonas hominis
Laboratory identification Specimen source: Feces Trophozoite Size: 8 to 20μm Flagella: 5 anterior and 1 posterior Undulating membrane: Full length
Pentatrichomonas hominis
Pathogenicity: Considered to be nonpathogenic in the mouth (reported thoracic abscesses and respiratory infections)
Habitat: Mouth
Mode of infection: Direct contact
Trichomonas tenax
Worldwide distribution, humans only
Acquired through sexual intercourse or passed to infants during birth
Trichomonas