Protozoans Flashcards
Diagnosis for N.fowleri
- Presence of trophozoites in CSF
- PCR
- Culture
Pseudopod-forming and non-flagellated protozoan parasite:
Entamoeba histolytica
Small, spiny filaments for locomotion
Acanthopodia
Protozoans belong to this Phylum and Kingdom
Phylum - Protozoa
Kingdom - Protista
Distinguished from E.histolytica by PCR
Entamoeba dispar
E.coli or E.histolytica
Splinter-like chromatoidal bodies, iodine staining reveals dark-staining, perinuclear masses, which are actually glycogen
E.coli
Disease caused by Naegleria fowleri
Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)
E.coli or E.histolytica
more sluggish, unidirected movements
E.coli
They are motile and cannot encyst if excreted from the vody:
E. histolytica trophozoites
E.coli or E.histolytica
Broader and blunter pseudopodia used more for feeding than locomotion
E.coli
2 forms of N.fowleri trophozoite:
- Ameboid (found in humans)
- Ameboflagellates (jerky motility)
True or False
Cyst of N.fowleri is multi-nucleated with rounded chromatoidal bars
False
They are uninucleated
Cyst and Trophozoite of this parasite possess 2 nuclei
Sappinia spp.
Treatment for Entamoeba histolytica:
Metronidazole
Reproduction of Amoeba:
Binary fission
The cytoplasm of this trophozoite has bacteria and undigested food
Entamoeba coli trophozoite
Treatment for Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK)
- Surgical excision of the infected area
- Deep Lamellar Keratectomy: superficial
- Clotrimazole combined with Pentamidine, Isethionate, and Neosporin
Classified as free-livinf amoeba (rarely infect humans)
Entamoeba moshkovskii
Brain-eating amoeba
Naegleria fowleri
Vegetative forms of N.fowleri
- Ameba (trophozoite form)
- Flagellate (swimming form)
They are unicellular organisms without tissues and organs
Protozoans
Thermophilic organism (up to 30 deg celsius)
Naegleria fowleri
Locomotory organelle which also help in food capturing:
Pseudopodia
Naegleria fowleri multiplies through:
Promitosis (intracellular mitosis)
Parasite isolated from soil and dust
Balamuthia mandrillaris
Has iodine cyst and a large glycogen vacuole/body which stains deeply with iodine, uninucleated
Iodamoeba butschlii
Free-living Pathogenic Amoeba:
*Naegleria fowleri
*Acanthamoeba spp.
Protozoa came from these Greek words
Protos - first
Zoon - animals
True or false:
Trophozoites of E. histolytica are resistant acidic pH
False - Cysts are resistant to acidic pH, not Trophozoites
Infective stage of Acanthamoeba spp.
Trophozoite
“Thorn-like” appendages
Acanthopodia
Most pathogenic Amoeba:
Entamoeba histolytica
E. coli or E. histolytica:
More vacuolated or granular endoplasm with BACTERIA and DEBRIS, but NO RED BLOOD CELLS
E. coli
Formed during the initial stage of Encystment and appear as an AMORPHOUS, DISCONTINUOUS LAYER
Ectocyst
E.coli or E.histolytica
Thicker, irregular peripheral chromatin with a large, eccentric karyosome in the nucleus
E.coli
True or false:
E. histolytica has centrally located karyosome
True
True or False:
Entamoeba dispar is the only member of the family “Entamoebidae” to cause colitis
False - Entamoeba histolytica is the only member of the family “Entamoebidae” to cause colitis
True or False
E.coli is smaller than E.histolytica
False
E.coli (10-35 um) is larger than E. histolytica (10-20 um)
Bacillary Dysentery or Amebic Dysentery
Prodromal fever and malaise common
Bacillary Dysentery
True or False
The trophozoite of N.fowleri has granular cytoplasm and contains many vacuoles
True
E.coli or E.histolytica
Narrower, less-differentioated ectoplasm
E.coli
They are minute, generally microscopic and eukaryotic organisms:
Protozoans
Parasites under Phylum Apicomplexa:
Sporozoa:
* Plasmodium spp.
* Babesia spp.
They can be free-living, parasitic, or symbiotic in nature.
Protozoans
True or False
Cyst of N.fowleri does not form in human tissue
True
Activated T-cells kill E.histolytica by:
- directly lysing trophozoites
- producing cytokines (activate macrophages and neutrophils/eosinophils
- providing helper effect for B-cell antibody production
Smallest protozoa
Endolimax nana
True or False
Trophozoite of N.fowleri cannot turn into temporary non-feeding flagellated forms
False
They CAN turn into temporary non-feeding flagellated forms
Inner granular portion of the Cytoplasm body
Endoplasm
This commensal amoeba exists in TROPHOZOITE STAGE ONLY
Entamoeba gingivalis
True or False
Cyst of N.fowleri have a smooth, double-layered wall
False
Cyst of N.fowleri is SINGLE-LAYERED
Protoplasm is differentiated into:
Ectoplasm and Endoplasm
Symptoms:
* severe ocular pain and blurring of vision
* Corneal ulceration with progressive corneal infiltration
* may lead to hypopyon formation
* Progression of infection may cause scleritis and iritis, and may
ultimately lead to vision loss
Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK)
This trophozoites has a centrally located karyosome and long and finger-like pseudopodia
Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite
Mode of Transmission for Acanthamoeba spp.
Eye, nasal passages, ulcerated or broken skin
Considered a true pathogen
Naegleria fowleri
3 stages of N.fowleri
- Cyst stage
- Trophozoite stage
- Flagellated stage
They may adopt in a different host and transfer themselves passively in the cystic stage
Monogenetic Protozoa
Characterized by an active trophozoite stage with characteristic prominent “Thorn-like” appendages
Acanthamoeba spp. (A.castellani)
Size of E. histolytica cyst
10-20 um