Parasites

Question 1

Protozoal infection (single-celled parasite)? 2

Answer 1

cryptosporidium and giardia lamblia

Question 2

cryptosporidium and giardia lamblia Infection occurs when cysts are ____ which “hatch” into ______ that invade the cells of the ___ _____

Answer 2

Infection occurs when cysts are ingested which “hatch” into trophozoites that invade the cells of the small intestine

Question 3

what is the source/vehicle for cryptosporidium?

Answer 3

Domestic animals, especially calves. Person-person spread. Outbreaks associated with contaminated water supplies & swimming pools (cysts resistant to chlorine)

Question 4

what are the symptoms of cryptosporidium?

Answer 4

Diarrhoea, particularly severe in HIV pos patients

Question 5

which group of patients have particularly severe diarrhoea with cryptosporidium?

Answer 5

HIV patients

Question 6

what is the management for cryptosporidium parasite?

Answer 6

symptomatic treatment only

Question 7

what is the source/ vehicle for giardia lamblia

Answer 7

Human only infection. ?Person-person spread. Outbreaks associated with contaminated water supplies

Question 8

what are the symptoms of giardia lamblia?

Answer 8

Diarrhoea, malabsorption syndrome, anorexia, abdominal pain, flatulence

Question 9

what is the management of giardia lamblia?

Answer 9

Oral metronidazole

Question 10

Tiny white worms that look like small pieces of thread when passed in stools. Seen in school children in UK and often infect several members of a family

Answer 10

enterobius vermicularis (threadworms)

Question 11

enterobius vermicularis - Ova (eggs) ingested→hatch in _____ and live in ___ and ___ →adult females come out on to perianal skin at night and lay ova→ova cause perianal itch→child scratches bottom→puts fingers in mouth

Answer 11

Ova (eggs) ingested→hatch in intestine and live in caecum & colon→adult females come out on to perianal skin at night and lay ova→ova cause perianal itch→child scratches bottom→puts fingers in mouth

Question 12

what is the source/ vehicle for enterobius vermicularis ?

Answer 12

Human only infection. Person-person spread (poor hygiene)

Question 13

what are the symptoms of enterobius vermicularis?

Answer 13

Perianal itch, worms seen in stool

Question 14

what is the management of enterobius vermicularis ?

Answer 14

Oral mebendazole. Often have to treat all members of family at once