Protozoa Small Animal Flashcards
What is a protozoa
Single celled organism that can be free living or parasitic
What is the host for Giardia duodenalis?
Host preference: dogs, cats, humans
What are the forms of Giardia duodenalis?
Trophozoite & cyst
What does trophozoite mean
Protozoa that is mobile with flagella. Needs water
What does “cyst” mean regarding protozoans
What the protozoa turns into when water dries up. Very resistant and can live for a while
What type of lifecycle does Giardia duodenalis have?
Direct lifecycle
What is the lifecycle of Giardia duodenalis?
Trophozoite gets into the small intestine and encysts. Cysts are passed and are infective. Cysts are ingested via water or direct contact. Cysts can survive in environment for long periods of time
What is the diagnosis for Giardia duodenalis?
Fecal float in zinc sulfite/sugar to look for cysts
Direct fecal smear to look for trophozoites
ELISA
What are the important protozoa to know?
Giardia duodenalis
Cystoisospora spp
Tozoplasma gondii
Babesia canis
Cytauxzoon felis
Which protozoa effect the GI system?
Giardia duodenalis
Cystoisospora spp
Toxoplasma gondii
Which protozoa effect the circulatory system?
Babesia canis
Cytauxzoon felis
What does Cystoisospora spp cause?
Cellular destruction in the small intestines
What are the forms of Cystoisospora spp?
Oocysts
Sporozoites
Merozoites
What is an “sporozoite” in relation to protozoans?
What is released after the cyst is ingested. Become merozoites after invading epithelium
What is a “merozoites”?
What is released from dead cells after they’ve completed all the cycles of asexual reproduction. Develop into gametes
How are protozoan gametes formed?
Macro: female
Micro: male
Male fertilizes female and zygote releases oocysts
How do you diagnose Cystoisospora spp?
Fecal float with centrifugation
What is the lifecycle of Cystoisospora spp?
Oocysts are passed and become infective. Oocysts are ingested and sporozoites encyst and begin asexual reproduction. Merozoites come out after cell divides as many times as it can and dies. Merozoites invade more enterocytes & gametes form (macro fertilized by micro). Zygote forms and oocysts exit via feces
What is the host for Toxoplasma gondii?
Definitive: feline
Incidental: other animals & humans
How do you diagnose Toxoplasma gondii?
Fecal float
Blood/serum test
T/F Toxoplasma gondii goes through sexual reproduction whether it’s in its definitive host or incidental host
False. Only goes through sexual reproduction in definitive host & asexual reproduction in incidental host
What is the zoonotic risk of Toxoplasma gondii?
Extreme. Via sporulated oocysts ingestion when cleaning the litter box. Pregnant women should not clean liter boxes because can be passed to fetus
What is the diagnosis for Cryptosporidium spp?
Fecal float or fecal smear. Has very small oocysts
ELISA
Where is Cryptosporidium spp located in the body?
Small intestine. Causes issues with absorption
What is the lifecycle of Cryptosporidium spp?
Oocysts ingested and excyst in the intestines. Merozoites replicate & resulting gametes differentiate to male/female. Gametes fuse to form zygote and mature. Sporulated oocysts pass in feces
What is the zoonotic risk of Cryptosporidium spp?
Immunocompromised
Where is Babesia canis located in the body & what does it cause?
Intracellular red blood cells & causes RBC destruction
How is Babesia canis transmitted?
ticks
What are the symptoms of Babesia canis?
Lethargy, anemia, hemoglobinuria (brown urine), icterus
How do you diagnose Babesia canis?
Blood smea
PCR
What type of protozoa is Babesia canis?
Hemoprotozoan (circulatory)
What is the lifecycle of Babesia canis?
Infected tick attaches and sporozoites are released into blood. Attach and invade RBC and begin to divide. Merozoites is picked up by another tick, and within tick the gametes are formed.
T/F you should never breed a female dog with Babesia canis?
True. It can be transmitted to unborn fetuses
Where is Cytauxzoon felis located in the body?
Intracellular RBC
How is Cytauxzoon felis transmitted?
ticks
What are the symptoms of Cytauxzoon felis?
Icterus, lethargy, anemia, fever, death
How do you diagnose Cytauxzoon felis?
Blood smear
What is the lifecycle of Cytauxzoon felis?
Sporozoites invade WBC and begin asexual reproduction. Cells rupture and merozoites are released and begin infecting RBC
