Worms and Protozoa Flashcards
What are the 3 main categories of helminths?
1) Trematodes (Flat worms)
2) Nematodes (Round worms)
3) Cestodes (Tape worms)
What is the pre-patent period?
Period of time between being infected and eggs appearing in the stool
What type of RBC would increase in an worm (helminth) infection?
Eosinophils: Increase in parasitic infections and helminths are parasites
How are nematodes diagnosed and how do they spread?
Diagnosed: By stool microscopy looking for eggs
Spread: Transmission from human to human by larvae and eggs
What are the signs and symptoms of a hookworm?
1) Local dermatitis at the site of infection
2) Iron deficiency -> anaemia
What are the signs and symptoms of a threadworm infection? How would you diagnose it?
Pruritus Ani
Application of Sellotape to the perianal area
What are the signs and symptoms of an ascaris lumbricoides infection?
1) Loeffler’s Syndrome: Lung larval migration –> Cough, fever and wheeze
2) Normally an infection but can be asymptomatic
What are the signs and symptoms of strongyloides stercoralis infection?
Why does it last for a long time?
1) Pruritus
2) Pulmonary and Gut symptoms
3) Larva Currens (skin rashes)
- Associated with auto-infection and an immunocompromised state
What are the differences of a taenia saginatum and solium infection?
Sag: Beef Tapeworm –> Abdominal Pain
Sol: Pork Tapeworm –> Skin, muscle and brain can be affected (Can also suffer from fits)
How does a ring worm differ to all the others?
It is a fungal infection which can cause itchy, scaly, red and circular rash
What are protozoa?
Single celled eukaryotic organisms
How are protozoa classified and into how many categories?
Based on their range of movements
- Amoebae - Flagellates - Microsporidia - Sporozoa - Cilliates
What genus of parasitic protozoa is responsible for causing malaria?
Plasmodia spp.
How is malaria transmitted?
By the bite of a female mosquito (Dusk till dawn)
Which 2 protozoa could cause diarrhoea?
1) Cryptosporidium
2) Giardia Lambia
