Apicomplexans

Apicomplexans

reproductive via multinucleate schizonts followed by cell division

infective form have ornate complex organelles at the apical end

Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora

Cryptosproidium paravum

crytosporidiosis

Cryptosproidium paravum complications

severe diarrhea, can last two weeks, chronic cryptosporidiosis in AIDS patients. Humans can carry parasite asymptomatically thought to only infect livestock and poultry 

Cryptosproidium paravum infection 

oral rehydration 

Cyclospora cayetanesis

water-borne apicompexan (linked to raspberries imported from central and south america)

Cyclospora cayetanesis infection

occurs from ingestion of oocysts

Cyclospora cayetanesis disease symptoms

cramps, watery diarrhea, fever

Cyclospora cayetanesis prevention

washing fruits and vegetables

Plasmodium

cause malaria endemic in tropics

mosquitos are vector, life cycle has 3 stages

P.falciparum, P.vivax, P.ovale, P.malariae 

Malaria symptoms 

associated with synchronous cycle of erythrocyte lysis 

fever-correlates with erythrocyte lysis and immune response 

P. facliparum

causes cerebral malaria results when tissue death occurs in the brain and blackwater fever results when erythrocytes lyse leading to renal failure and dark urine and extreme fever 

P. facliparum immunity 

gradually develops in victim survivors, subsequent episodes becomes less levere 

P. facliparum prevention

limiting contact with mosquitos

P. facliparum resistance

genetic factors

sickle-cell 

hemoglobin 

Glucose-6-phosphate anhydrase 

Lack of Duffy antigens on RBC 

Sickle-cell

resist penetration of plasmodium

hemaglobin C

two genes, can allow for resistance

Glucose-6-phosphate anhydrase 

definicienty, trophozoites need to synthesize DNA

Lack of Duffy antigens on RBC

P.vivax requires to bind and infect erthyrocytes 

Antimicorbial chloroquine 

inhibits Heme detoxification pathway, accumulates in parasites and can cause death 

Antimicorbial artemisinin 

modulates parasite oxidative stress and reduce levels of antioxidants in parasite death

Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplamosis, mostly asymptomatic

Severe in two populations: AIDS patients, fetuses: crosses blood-placenta barrier 

Toxoplasma gondii host 

cats

Toxoplasma gondii infection 

consumption of undercooked meat, ingestion/inhalation of contaminated soil