Tropical Infections Flashcards
what infection is known as bilharzia
schistosomiasis
how do people become infected with schistosomiasis
intermediate host are fresh water snails – release schistosoma as free swimming larvae which then penetrate human skin
symptoms of acute schistosomiasis infection
usually asymptomatic
- can get a ‘swimmers itch’ a few days after exposure, typically on lower legs or feet
- in some patients can get katayama fever 1-2 months later: malaise, arthralgia, diarrhoea, hepatosplenomegaly, RUQ pain
schistosomiasis can cause what type of cancer
bladder squamous cell carcinoma
other chronic complications of schistosomiasis
portal hypertension
liver disease
splenomegaly
treatment of schistosomiasis
praziquantel
what areas are affected by dengue fever
Southeast Asia
Central + South America
symptoms of dengue fever
fever
arthralgia + myalgia
rash
headache
what is dengue haemorrhagic fever
PLT count <100
- haemorrhagic symptoms
what areas are affected by Zika virus
Caribbean + Latin America
symptoms of Zika virus
maculopapular itchy rash in 98% of cases
fever
arthralgia
conjunctivitis
how is Zika virus spread
mosquito bites
sexual transmission
what areas are affected by yellow fever
South America
Africa
symptoms of Yellow Fever
fever, headache, myalgia, back pain – most patients go into remission after 3-4 days
- some then relapse into phase of fever, vomiting, epigastric pain, haemorrhage, multi-organ failure.
what condition is known as enteric fever
Typhoid
what bacteria causes typhoid
salmonella typhi
salmonella paratyphoid in paratyphoid fever
what areas does typhoid affect
Asia (especially southeast)
Africa
South America
presentation of Typhoid
fever headache malaise constipation rose spots -- macule on chest/abdo hepatosplenomegaly
investigations for Typhoid
blood + stool cultures
treatment for Typhoid
Azithromycin or ceftriaxone
50 year old farmer with arthralgia in large joints, chronic diarrhoea, abdominal pain and weight loss.
Likely diagnosis?
Whipple’s disease
presentation of Whipple’s disease
large joint arthralgia
chronic diarrhoea, colicky abdo pain, malabsorption, weight loss
investigations for Whipple’s disease
PCR + acid schiff stain of tissue biopsy from small bowel
treatment for Whipple’s disease
IV ceftriaxone for 2 weeks
then 3-12 months oral co-trimoxazole
most common cause of gastroenteritis in returning traveller to UK
giardiasis
how is giardiasis spread
faecal-oral
presentation of giardiasis
diarrhoea – weight loss
abdo pain + bloating
what is seen on stool microscopy in giardiasis
cysts
treatment of giardiasis
oral metronidazole for 5 days
