LU 3.2aii Parasitic Infections of Blood and Lymphatic Systems

What is the pathogen of filariasis and its examples?

• tissue Nematodes (helminths)

• i) Brugia malayi

• ii) Brugia timori

• iii) Brugia pahangi

• iv) Wuchereria bancrofti

• v) Onchocerca volvulus

• vi) Loa loa

What are the parasites examples of tissue Nematodes and name its vector?

• Brugia malayi : Mansonia

• Brugia pahangi : Mansonia

• Wuchereria bancrofti : Culex, Anopheles

• Onchocerca volvulus : Blackfly

• Loa loa : Deerfly, mangofly

What is the laboratory diagnosis for filariasis

• Thick blood film

• is taken late at night because the microfilariae concentration in the sample is at its peak, which improve the chance of detecting the parasite under the microscope

What are the clinical features and pathology of filariasis?

• Its usually asymptomatic infections

• obstruction to lymph flow : swelling

• hydrococele

• elephantiasis

What are the i) prevention and ii) control taken for filariasis?

• Prevention : i) destruction of breeding sites of vectors ii) using bed nets while sleeping

• Control : i) treatment with diethylcaebamazine (DEC) ii) surveillance of disease in endemic areas

What is malaria and its pathogen?

• its a vector-borne disease

• pathogen : female Anopheles spp. mosquitoes

What are the important plasmodium species for Malaria?

• Plasmodium falciparum (cause death due cerebral complication)

• Plasmodium vivax

• Plasmodium knowlesi (death due to organ failure)

Explain about the global distribution of plasmodium sp.

• Central & South America : P. vivax (90%)

• Africa : P. falciparum (90%)

• South Asia : P. vivax (90%)

• SouthEast Asia & Pacific : P. vivax (60%) & P. knowlesi (70% in some areas)

What are the stages of life cycle of malaria parasites?

1. sporozoite

2. hypnozoite

3. hepatic schizont

4. trophozoite

5. schizont

6. merozoite

7. gametocyte

8. gametes

9. zygote

10. Ookinate

11. Oocyst

Which part of the life cycle of malaria parasite results in clinical signs & symptoms?

• Stage 4 - 6 (Trophozoite, Schizont, Merozoite)

What are the clinical features / signs & symptoms of malaria ?

• Intermittent fever

• Chills & rigors

• Headache

• Vomiting

• Anaemia

What is the importance of blood film for malaria detection?

• Before hospital admission : to confirm malaria as cause of signs & symptoms

• After hospital admission : to determime response to treatment

Why are thick and thin films made for diagnosis of malaria?

• Thick film : for detection of malaria parasite, parasite count

• Thin film : identification of Plasmodium species

What are the i)prevention and ii)control done for Malaria?

• Prevention : avoiding mosquito bites : use bed nets treated with permethrin

• Controls : treatment of patients, health education

What are the anti-malarial drugs classification and its goals?

• Blood schizonticidal drugs : to alleviate symptoms

• Tissue schizonticidal drugs : to prevent relapse

• Gametocytocidal drugs : to prevent spread