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YR2: MCD Microbiology > Parasitic Infections > Flashcards

Parasitic Infections Flashcards

(56 cards)

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1
Q

Define parasite.

A

An organism living in or on a host + dependent on the host for nutrition – causing damage

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2
Q

What is the difference between an endoparasite and an ectoparasite?

A

Endoparasite: exist INSIDE the host
Ectoparasite: exist ON the host

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3
Q

What are the two groups of endoparasites and what are the features of organisms within these two groups?

A

Protozoa
Unicellular Eukaryotes (membrane bound nucleus)
Some have insect vectors
NO eosinophilia
Metazoa AKA Helminths/worms
MULTIcellular
Free living, intermediate hosts + vectors
Cause eosinophilia if they invade the blood

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4
Q

State the classes of organisms within the two groups of endoparasites.

A

Protozoa: Amoeba, Coccidia, Ciliates + Flagellates
Metazoa: Roundworms, Flatworms + Flukes

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5
Q

Give 2 examples of amoeba.

A

Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba dispar

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6
Q

Give 3 examples of coccidia.

A

Plasmodium species
Toxoplasma
Cryptosporidium

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7
Q

Give an example of a ciliate.

A

Balantidium coli

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8
Q

Give 4 examples of flagellates.

A

Trypanosoma
Trichomonas
Giardia
Leishmania

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9
Q

What is the main difference between the two types of amoeba?

A

Entamoeba histolytica can cause invasive amoebiasis

Entamoeba dispar is a normal commensal of the GI tract

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10
Q

What is amoeba infection caused by?

A

Ingestion of mature cysts in food or water contaminated by faeces

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11
Q

Describe how E. histolytica infection causes disease. What symptoms result from infection?

A

Cysts enter the small intestine + release active amoebic particles (trophozoites), which invade the epithelial cells of the large intestines, causing flask-shaped ulcers
Infection can spread from the intestines to other organs
Result: asymptomatic, diarrhoea, amoebic liver abscess

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12
Q

What are the treatment options for amoebiasis?

A 
Nitroimidazole derivatives (kills trophozoites, not cysts)  
Parmomycine or Diloxanide Furoate
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13
Q

Give 2 examples of plasmodium that cause malaria

A

Falciparum

Malariae

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14
Q

What are the two types of host for plasmodium?

A

Human

Female anopheles mosquito

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15
Q

What are the two stages of malaria in humans?

A

Liver

Blood

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16
Q

Describe the symptoms of malaria.

A 
PAROXYSMAL (cycle 4-8 hours) 
Fever  
Chills 
Headaches  
Vomiting  
Muscle pain
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17
Q

State 2 serious complications of malaria.

A 
Severe anaemia (due to intravascular haemolysis) 
Cerebral malaria
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18
Q

What is the treatment for uncomplicated malaria?

What is the treatment for severe malaria?

A

Chloroquine

Severe: Artemisinin-based combination therapy

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19
Q

What are the 4 routes of infection of toxoplasma gondii?

A

Eating undercooked meat of animals harbouring tissue cysts
Consuming food or water contaminated with cat faeces
Blood transfusion + Organ transplantation
Transplacentally from mother to foetus

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20
Q

Which group of patients are particularly vulnerable to toxoplasma infection? What can toxoplasma infections cause in these individuals?

A 
Immunocompromised
Fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes
CNS disease  
Brain lesions  
Pneumonitis
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21
Q

What does cryptosporidium cause?

A

DIARRHOEA (mainly in the immunocompromised)
Fever
Nausea + vomiting

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22
Q

How is cryptosporidium treated?

A

Fluid rehydration

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23
Q

How are most diarrhoeal protozoal diseases diagnosed?

Study These Flashcards
A

Stool examination

24
Q

What are the reservoirs of balantidium coli?

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A

Primates
Rodents
Pigs

25
What are the 5 effects of balantidium coli infection in immunocompromised patients?
``` Persistent DIARRHOEA Dysentery Abdominal pain Vomiting Nausea ```
26
How can drinking water be cleared of ovoid giardia lamblia cysts?
Filtration | Ovoid cysts can survive standard chlorination procedures
27
What is the main symptom of giardiasis? What are the acute symptoms of giardiasis?
``` DIARRHOEA Greasy stools Abdominal cramps Nausea/vomiting Dehydration ```
28
How is giardia transmitted?
Faeco-oral
29
How is trichomonas transmitted? Where does trichomonas infection mainly tend to reside?
Sexually transmitted | Urethra
30
What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?
Dysuria Vulval itching Vaginal discharge Offensive smelling urine
31
What are the potential complications of trichomoniasis infections?
Detrimental outcome on pregnancy, association with preterm delivery + LBW. Enhances HIV transmission
32
Can adult worms multiply in man?
No
33
In which subset of the population is there a significant burden of worms?
School-aged children – has a massive impact on their development
34
What are the three groups of Helminths? Give some examples of each.
Roundworms: Ascaria, Hookworms, Filaria + Strongyloides Flatworms: Taenia (tapeworms) Flukes: Schistosoma
35
Where do the adult ascaria worms live? How long can adult ascaria live?
Small intestine | 1-2 years
36
Describe the symptoms of ascariasis.
Often asymptomatic Many worms = abdominal pain Malnourishment (as worms feed on contents of small intestine) Loeffler’s pneumonia: penetration of larvae into lungs leads to pools of blood + epithelial cells clogging the airspaces
37
How are most helminth infections diagnosed?
Stool examination
38
Where do adult hookworms live?
Small intestine
39
What is a key feature of hookworm infection and what is this caused by? What other symptoms may present?
Iron deficiency anaemia: caused by localised bleeding in the small intestine GI + respiratory symptoms
40
What is the biological name whipworm? Where do adult whipworms live?
Trichuras trichiura | Caecum + ascending colon
41
What are the symptoms of whipworm infection?
Bloody diarrhoea + anaemia (due to severe vitamin + iron loss)
42
What is a potential therapeutic use of whipworms?
Helminth therapy for allergies + AI diseases
43
What are the two forms of lymphatic filaria? What do both cause?
Brugia malayi Wucheria bancrofti Obstruction of lymphatics
44
Describe the location of microfilariae in the blood. How is filariasis diagnosed?
Peripheral blood at night Deep veins during the day Blood smear
45
Which disease caused by filaria presents with worms in the eye?
Loiasis
46
What is the insect vector in Loiasis?
Chyrops fly
47
What are the three main types of flatworm for which humans are the only definite host? Which tends to cause more symptoms?
Taenia solium Taenia asiatica Taenia saginata (more symptoms)
48
Describe the symptoms of flatworm infection.
Most are asymptomatic Abdominal pain Weight loss + Loss of appetite Upset stomach
49
How is flatworm infection diagnosed?
Stool examination – presence of tapeworm segments/ eggs
50
What important condition does Taenia solium cause? What can this lead to?
Cysticercosis | Acquired epilepsy
51
What are the three main types of schistosoma?
Schistosoma mansoni Schistosoma haematobium Schistosoma japonicum
52
Describe 5 symptoms of schistosomiasis.
``` Rash or itchy skin Fever Chills Cough Muscle aches Most are asymptomatic in early stages of infection ```
53
Name 4 ectoparasites.
Sarcoptes scabiei – Scabies (causes rash) Pediculus humanis capitis (head louse) Pediculus humanis corporis (body louse) Pthirus pubis (crab louse)
54
How are ectoparasites transmitted?
Direct contact
55
Define infection
invasion by + growth of pathogenic microorganisms within the body
56
Define disease
disordered functioning of the body resulting from the effect of genetics, infections, poisons etc

YR2: MCD Microbiology (8 decks)

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