Protozoa Flashcards
(23 cards)
Definition of a parasite
Organism on or in a host, deriving nutrients at the host’s expense
Definition of protozoa
Microscopic, unicellular parasites
Transmission pathways of protozoa
Faecal contamination
Undercooked or infected meat
What are the major protozoa?
Entamoeba histolytica
Giardia lamblia
Toxoplasma gondii
Cyclospora cayetanensis
Cryptosporidium
Sources of entamoeba histolytica
Water and food
Symptoms of entamoeba histolytica
Bloody diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Liver abscess
Forms of entamoeba histolytica
Trophozite (active)
Cyst (infective)
Treatment of entamoeba histolytica
Metronidazole and paromomycin
Sources of giardia lamblia
Water and animals
Symptoms of giardia lamblia
Persistent diarrhoea and fatigue
What is giardia lamblia most common in?
Travelers
Sources of toxoplasma gondii
Cat faeces and undercooked meat
Treatment of giardia lamblia
Metronidazole
Symptoms of toxoplasma gondii
Asymptomatic but dangerous to foetus and immunocompromised
Treatment of toxoplasma gondii
Pyrimethamine + trisulfapyrimidine
Sources of cyclospora cayetanensis
Fresh produce
Symptoms of cyclospora cayetanensis
Watery diarrhoea but requires days to become infectious
Treatment of cyclospora cayetanensis
Trimethoprim
Sources of cryptosporidium
Water, manure-fertilised produce, poor hygiene
Symptoms of cryptosporidium
Watery diarrhoea, respiratory problems in some
Treatment for cryptosporidium
Non
What is the difference between diarrhoea and dysentery?
Diarrhoea affects upper intestine (watery)
Dysentery affect colon (blood)
What are cyst forms of protozoa?
Durable, infectious forms that resist digestion
