Protozoa & fungi

Question 1

Malaria

Answer 1

protozoa

Transmitted by mosquito bite

caused by parasitic protozoans (a group of single-celled microorganism) belonging to the genus Plasmodium

symptoms: fever, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches
(severe cases: yellow skin, seizures, coma or death)
usually begin ten to fifteen days after being bitten.

May recur if not treated
Uncomplicated malaria/P. falciparum infection treated with oral medications: artemisinins in combination with other antimalarials (artemisinin-combination therapy, or ACT), which decreases resistance to any single drug component (amodiaquine, lumefantrine, mefloquine or sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine)

Prevent by preventing mosquito bite

Question 2

Aspergillus

Answer 2

fungi

grow where a high osmotic concentration (high sugar, salt, etc.) exists.

highly aerobic and are found in almost all oxygen-rich environments, where they commonly grow as molds

A. fumigatus (the most common species) infections are primary pulmonary infections and can potentially become a rapidly necrotizing pneumonia with a potential to disseminate.

Aspergillosis: the group of diseases caused by Aspergillus. e.g. paranasal sinus infections
symptoms: fever, cough, chest pain, or breathlessness
Usually, only patients with already weakened immune systems or who suffer other lung conditions are susceptible.