Trypanosomiasis, Babesiosis, Pneumonitis

Question 1

What are the two distinct types of human trypanosomes, and what diseases do they cause?

Answer 1

African Trypanosomiasis (caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense) and American Trypanosomiasis (caused by Trypanosoma cruzi).

Question 2

How is African Trypanosomiasis transmitted, and what are the primary vectors involved?

Answer 2

African Trypanosomiasis is transmitted by tsetse flies (Glossina species), while American Trypanosomiasis is transmitted by kissing bugs (Triatoma species).

Question 3

What are the two subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei that cause African Trypanosomiasis?

Answer 3

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.

Question 4

What is the primary reservoir for Trypanosoma brucei gambiense?

Answer 4

Humans.

Question 5

Describe the morphological characteristics of Trypanosoma brucei trypomastigotes.

Answer 5

Trypomastigotes with elongated bodies supporting a longitudinal lateral undulating membrane and a flagellum.

Question 6

What is the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei in its mammalian and arthropod hosts?

Answer 6

Trypanosomes have a 2-host life cycle: mammalian and arthropod.

Question 7

How do Trypanosoma parasites evade the host’s immune system?

Answer 7

By extensive antigenic variation of parasite surface glycoproteins known as major variant surface glycoprotein (VSG).

Question 8

What are the clinical manifestations of African Trypanosomiasis?

Answer 8

Clinical manifestations include fever, adenopathy, and headache in Stage 1, and neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms in Stage 2.

Question 9

How is the diagnosis of African Trypanosomiasis confirmed?

Answer 9

A definitive diagnosis requires demonstration of the parasite, typically through examination of blood smears and cerebrospinal fluid.

Question 10

What is the treatment for African Trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense?

Answer 10

Treatment varies depending on the clinical stage and subspecies, with drugs like suramin, pentamidine, and eflornithine used for African Trypanosomiasis.

Question 11

What is the vector for American Trypanosomiasis, and how is it transmitted?

Answer 11

American Trypanosomiasis is transmitted by Triatominae bugs, also known as kissing bugs.

Question 12

Describe the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Answer 12

The life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi involves three main developmental forms: epimastigotes, metacyclic trypomastigotes, and amastigotes.

Question 13

What are the main clinical stages of Chagas disease?

Answer 13

Clinical stages of Chagas disease include an acute phase characterized by fever and swelling at the site of infection, followed by a chronic phase with cardiac and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Question 14

What is the characteristic sign of acute Chagas disease at the site of parasite entry?

Answer 14

The characteristic sign of acute Chagas disease at the site of parasite entry is the formation of a subcutaneous inflammatory nodule or chagoma.

Question 15

How is Chagas disease diagnosed?

Answer 15

Diagnosis of Chagas disease is often serological, using tests like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Question 16

What is the treatment for Chagas disease?

Answer 16

Treatment for Chagas disease typically involves medications like nifurtimox and benznidazole.

Question 17

What are the epidemiological characteristics of Chagas disease?

Answer 17

Chagas disease is endemic in South and Central American countries and Mexico, with about 8 million people chronically infected.

Question 18

What are the primary reservoirs for Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense?

Answer 18

Trypanosoma cruzi primarily infects humans and is transmitted by infected Triatominae bugs, while Trypanosoma rangeli is nonpathogenic to humans and is transmitted in a similar manner.

Question 19

How is Babesiosis transmitted, and what are the primary vectors involved?

Answer 19

Babesiosis is transmitted by the Ixodes tick, and the primary vectors involved are Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus.

Question 20

Describe the life cycle of Babesia species in its mammalian and tick hosts.

Answer 20

The life cycle of Babesia species involves transmission between mammalian hosts and ticks, where the parasites undergo various developmental stages.

Question 21

What are the clinical features of Babesiosis?

Answer 21

Clinical features of Babesiosis include fever, chills, myalgias, hemolysis, and hemolytic anemia.

Question 22

How is Babesiosis diagnosed in the laboratory?

Answer 22

Diagnosis of Babesiosis involves identifying intraerythrocytic ring-shaped trophozoites in blood smears stained with Giemsa.

Question 23

What is the treatment for Babesiosis?

Answer 23

Treatment for Babesiosis usually includes a combination of atovaquone and azithromycin for mild to moderate disease and quinidine and clindamycin for severe cases.

Question 24

What are the geographical distributions of African Trypanosomiasis, American Trypanosomiasis, and Babesiosis?

Answer 24

African Trypanosomiasis, American Trypanosomiasis, and Babesiosis have different geographical distributions, with African Trypanosomiasis endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, American Trypanosomiasis prevalent in South and Central America, and Babesiosis commonly found in temperate regions where Ixodes ticks are present.

Question 25

What are the prevention strategies for African Trypanosomiasis, American Trypanosomiasis, and Babesiosis?

Answer 25

Prevention strategies for African Trypanosomiasis, American Trypanosomiasis, and Babesiosis include vector control measures, avoiding insect bites, and using protective clothing and insect repellents.

Question 26

What are the distinguishing features of Trypanosoma brucei on a blood smear?

Answer 26

Trypanosoma brucei is characterized by elongated trypomastigotes with a longitudinal undulating membrane and a flagellum emerging from the anterior end.

Question 27

What are the distinguishing features of Trypanosoma cruzi on a blood smear?

Answer 27

Trypanosoma cruzi is identified by its intracellular amastigotes and extracellular trypomastigotes in blood smears, typically exhibiting a C-shaped kinetoplast and a flagellum.

Question 28

What are the distinguishing features of Babesia on a blood smear?

Answer 28

Babesia species appear as intraerythrocytic ring-shaped trophozoites in blood smears, often forming tetrads resembling a Maltese cross.

Question 29

How do Trypanosoma brucei evade the host’s immune system?

Answer 29

Trypanosoma brucei evades the host’s immune system by extensive antigenic variation of parasite surface glycoproteins, preventing recognition by antibodies.

Question 30

How does Trypanosoma cruzi evade the host’s immune system?

Answer 30

Trypanosoma cruzi evades the host’s immune system by infecting host cells, particularly macrophages, where it replicates and evades detection by the immune system.

Question 31

What are the primary symptoms of Paragonimiasis?

Answer 31

Paragonimiasis primarily manifests with symptoms such as cough, fever, hemoptysis, and chest pain.

Question 32

Describe the life cycle of Paragonimus westermani.

Answer 32

The life cycle of Paragonimus westermani involves ingestion of infected crustaceans, where the larvae migrate to the lungs and form encapsulated nodules, releasing eggs that are expelled in sputum or feces.

Question 33

How is the diagnosis of Paragonimiasis confirmed?

Answer 33

Diagnosis of Paragonimiasis is confirmed by identifying eggs in sputum or feces or detecting worms and eggs in biopsy specimens.

Question 34

What is the treatment for Paragonimiasis?

Answer 34

Treatment for Paragonimiasis typically involves medications such as praziquantel or triclabendazole.

Question 35

What are the epidemiological characteristics of Paragonimiasis?

Answer 35

Paragonimiasis is endemic in regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with risk factors including consumption of uncooked freshwater crabs and crayfish.

Question 36

What are the clinical features of Hydatid disease?

Answer 36

Clinical features of Hydatid disease include asymptomatic cysts, chest pain, cough, hemoptysis, or symptoms due to compression of adjacent structures.

Question 37

How is Hydatid disease diagnosed?

Answer 37

Hydatid disease is diagnosed through imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scans, serological tests, and identification of protoscolices or hydatid sand in aspirated fluid.

Question 38

What is the treatment for Hydatid disease?

Answer 38

Treatment for Hydatid disease involves surgical excision of cysts, often supplemented with albendazole or praziquantel therapy.

Question 39

How is Echinococcus granulosus transmitted to humans?

Answer 39

Echinococcus granulosus is transmitted to humans through the ingestion of food contaminated with eggs, typically from contact with infected dog feces.

Question 40

What are the complications of Hydatid disease?

Answer 40

Complications of Hydatid disease may include cyst rupture, leading to anaphylaxis or secondary infections.

Question 41

What are the clinical manifestations of Pulmonary Toxoplasmosis?

Answer 41

Clinical manifestations of Pulmonary Toxoplasmosis include cough and dyspnea, with possible systemic symptoms like fever and malaise.

Question 42

How is Toxoplasma gondii diagnosed in pulmonary infections?

Answer 42

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Toxoplasmosis involves identifying T. gondii DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid through PCR or finding tachyzoites in alveolar exudate.

Question 43

What is the treatment for Pulmonary Toxoplasmosis?

Answer 43

Treatment for Pulmonary Toxoplasmosis typically includes antimicrobial therapy with drugs like sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine, and clindamycin.

Question 44

What are the clinical features of Strongyloidiasis in the lungs?

Answer 44

Loeffler’s syndrome is characterized by respiratory symptoms like cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fever, triggered by larval migration of nematodes into the lungs, leading to an allergic response.

Question 45

What are the symptoms of Strongyloidiasis?

Answer 45

Symptoms of Strongyloidiasis may include respiratory symptoms, particularly in the initial stages of lung migration, which can mimic asthma or worsen asthmatic episodes.

Question 46

What are the clinical features of Schistosomiasis in the lungs?

Answer 46

Schistosomiasis can present with acute symptoms known as Katayama fever, characterized by fever, cough, dyspnea, rash, and arthralgias.

Question 47

What are the symptoms of Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia?

Answer 47

Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia (TPE) is a hypersensitivity reaction to lymphatic filarial parasites, presenting with respiratory symptoms like cough, dyspnea, and wheeze, along with systemic features like fever and weight loss.

Question 48

What are the other parasitic agents that can cause pneumonitis?

Answer 48

Other causes of pneumonitis include Leishmaniasis, Encephalitozoonidae infections, Microsporidia, and Acanthamoeba, each with specific clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria.