Theme 1: International and Tropical infectious diseases Flashcards
what is malaria?
plasmodium species which are eukaryotic protozoan parasites
the main human malaria causing species are P. falciparum (most common), P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malairiae and P. knowlesi
how is malaria transmitted?
vector transmission- female anopheles mosquito
what is the lifecycle of malaria?
- mosquito bites human and injects sporozoites.
- exo-erythocytic cycle- sporozoites travel to liver cells and mature into schizonts (P. vivax and P. ovale can enter a dormant stage at this point). schizonts grow and rupture releasing merozites
- erythocytic cycle- merozites infect RBCs. they from an immature ring stage trophozoite which matures and form more schizonts which rupture and release more merozites which infect more RBCs. some of the immature trophozoites undergo sexual reproduction forming gametocytes
- the gametocytes are ingested by another anopheles mosquito during a blood meal. they produce zygotes which develop into sporozoites which travel to the salivary glands where they can inoculate another human.
what are the clinical features of malaria?
symptoms usually appear 10-15 days after the bite.
may be mild/uncomplicated- fever, headache, chills
may be severe- high fever, anaemia, jaundice, kidney failure, cerebral malaria, convulsions, respiratory distress
classically schizont rupture is associated with periodic symptoms in phases which alternate with symptom free periods:
1. cold stage- cold, shivers
2. hot stage- fever, flushed, dry skin
3. sweating/ fever breaking stage- fever drops and patient sweats.
P. falciparum can follow a 36-48h pattern although is often irregular
how is malaria diagnosed?
thick film- thick blood smear to detect presence of malaria
thin film- thinner blood smear to identify the species and quantify the degree of paracitaemia (%).
how can malaria be prevented?
awareness of risk
bite prevention- sleep under net, mosquito repellant
chemoprophylaxis- options include malarone (atovaqunone- proguanil), doxycycline, mefloquine, chloroquine
how is malaria treated?
artemisinin combined therapy (ACT) (contains Artesunate and mefloquine)
uncomplicated P. falicparum malaria- oral ACT for 3 days
severe/ complicated malaria- I.V Artesunate followed by oral ACT add primaquine in P.vivax or P.ovale to kill hypnozoites
what is the vector of African trypanosomiasis?
tsetse fly
which are the two sub-types of the protozoa causing African trypanosomiasis?
trypanosoma brucei gambiense (central and West Africa) and Trypanosoma brucei rhondeiense
what are the clinical characteristics of African trypanosomiasis?
first stage- chancre (ulcer at bite site), fever, adenopathy, headache
second stage- affects CNS causing meningoencephalitis leading to a behavioural change, agitation, delusion and sleep disorders with the patient progressively sleeping more and more
what is the vector of American trypanosomiasis?
kissing bug (bites around the mouth)
what is the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis?
trypanosoma cruzi
what are the characteristics of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease)?
causes acute- fever, lymphadenopathy and chronic illness- cardiomyopathy/ myocarditis and rhythm disturbance
Chagas disease also causes destruction of parasympathetic nerves in the oesophagus and colon which imparts peristalsis leading to aspiration pneumonia, severe constipation and abdominal distension
what is the vector of leishmaniasis?
phlebotomine (blood feeding) sand flies
what are the main disease forms of leishmaniasis?
cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis
what are the features of cutaneous leishmaniasis?
following the insect bite (weeks- months) a painless ulcer with a rolled edge forms
mucocutaneous leishmaniasis can also affect oropharyngeal mucosa forming ulcerations that can completely destroy the mucous membranes
what are the features of visceral leishmaniasis?
following a bite macrophages ingest the parasite but they develop and disseminate into the lymphatic system. can take months/years to appear.
presentation: insidious onset of fever, weakness, massive hepatomegaly, pancytopenia (deficiency in all blood cells)
fatal without prompt treatment
what is the causative agent of giardiasis and how is it transmitted?
giardia lamblia- single celled flagellated protozoa
faecal-oral transmission
what is the life cycle of giardiasis?
individual ingests giardia cyst
cyst hatches releasing trophozoites which reproduce asexually
trophozoites undergo encystation
cysts ejected in faeces
what are the symptoms of giardiasis?
can be asymptomatic
acute infection- diarrhoea, gas, greasy stools, abdominal cramps, upset stomach, nausea/vomiting, dehydration
can cause wight loss and failure to absorb fat, lactose, vitamins A and B12
what is the causative agent of cryptosporidiosis?
mainly cryptosporidium parvum
cna also be Cryptosporidium hominis
what is the mechanism of infection of cryptosporidiosis?
oocysts are ingested and release sporozoites which infect the intestinal epithelia. replication results in destruction of microvilli causing malabsorption
what is the causative agent of amoebiasis?
entamoeba histolytica
what is the mechanism of infection of amoebiasis?
host ingests water/ food contaminated with faeces containing amoebic cysts
cysts are digested releasing amoebic trophozoites which bind to the intestinal wall.
in the majority of cases trophozoites asymptomaticy feed on nutrients in the intestinal wall then secrete a cyst wall which allows them to be passed in stool