Protozoan Zoonoses and Other Zoonotic Infections Review

A collection of key terms and definitions related to protozoan zoonoses and other infectious diseases noted in the lecture.

Protozoan Zoonoses

Diseases caused by protozoan parasites transmitted from animals to humans.

Babesiosis

A protozoan infection caused by Babesia spp., transmitted by ticks and leading to malaria-like symptoms.

Chagas Disease

Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by triatomine bugs, affecting the heart and digestive system.

Cryptosporidiosis

A parasitic disease caused by Cryptosporidium spp., leading to gastrointestinal symptoms.

Leishmaniasis

Infection caused by Leishmania spp., transmitted by sandfly bites, affecting skin and internal organs.

Ascaris lumbricoides

A nematode parasite causing ascariasis through the ingestion of embryonated eggs.

Trichinella spiralis

A nematode causing trichinosis from consuming undercooked meat containing encysted larvae.

Dirofilariasis

An ocular infection caused by Dirofilaria spp., usually affecting the eyes of hosts, often dogs.

Fascioliasis

Infection caused by Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica from ingesting metacercariae on vegetables.

Echinococcosis

Caused by Echinococcus spp., leading to hydatid cysts in various organs, notably the liver.

Dermatophytosis

A fungal infection of the skin caused by dermatophyte fungi, often transmitted from animals.

Candidiasis

An opportunistic infection caused by Candida spp., especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Histoplasmosis

A fungal infection resulting from inhaling spores of Histoplasma capsulatum, often associated with contact with bird or bat droppings.

Rickettsial Zoonoses

Infections caused by Rickettsia species transmitted by arthropods such as ticks.

Leptospirosis

A bacterial infection caused by Leptospira spp., often transmitted through contaminated water or soil.

Zoonotic Infection

An infection that is transmitted from animals to humans.

Vectors

Organisms (often arthropods) that transmit pathogens from one host to another.

Incubation Period (IP)

The time between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms.

Auto-infection

A process by which a parasitic infection re-infects the same host after treatment.