Parasites and Fungi

Malaria - Defining Features

"Transmitted via infected female anopheline mosquitoes. Clinical presentation involves a multistage lifecycle leading to cyclical fevers (7+ days)

Malaria - Diagnosis

"Gold standard is a Giemsa-stained blood smear with light microscopy

Malaria - Treatment

"Prevention includes chemoprophylaxis prior to travel and malaria vaccines. Severe disease is a medical emergency requiring fluids/electrolytes

Toxoplasmosis - Defining Features

"Caused by Toxoplasma gondii with cats as definitive hosts; acquired via raw/undercooked meat or cat feces oocysts. It is an AIDS-defining condition presenting with fever

Toxoplasmosis - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via serologic testing for IgM and IgG antibodies. Brain CT or MRI is used if encephalitis or brain lesions are suspected in immunocompromised patients."

Toxoplasmosis - Treatment

"Self-limited in immunocompetent patients; severe or prolonged cases are treated with Pyrimethamine. Pregnant women should avoid handling litter boxes

Amebiasis - Defining Features

"Caused by the anaerobic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica transmitted through ingestion of cysts from fecal-contaminated food or water in tropical/subtropical areas with poor sanitation. Causes 10–20 bloody stools per day

Amebiasis - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via stool culture or serologic testing for antibodies."

Amebiasis - Treatment

"Treated with Metronidazole or Tinidazole AND a luminal agent (even if asymptomatic). Metronidazole causes a metallic taste and must not be taken with alcohol. Prevention includes sanitation

Giardiasis - Defining Features

"Protozoal infection of the upper small intestine caused by Giardia lamblia transmitted via fecal contamination of water/food

Giardiasis - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via stool culture."

Giardiasis - Treatment

"Treated with Metronidazole

Lymphatic Filariasis - Defining Features

"Transmitted by mosquitoes and caused by filarial nematodes (Wuchereria bancrofti). Symptoms include fever

Lymphatic Filariasis - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed clinically and confirmed with a blood sample collected at midnight."

Lymphatic Filariasis - Treatment

"Treated with DEC (diethylcarbamazine) with Doxycycline. Personal protection against mosquitoes and repellents aid disease control."

Hookworm Infection - Defining Features

"Helminth infestation transmitted from soil penetrating skin or via ingestion; larvae migrate through lungs to attach in intestines. Causes a pruritic rash at the penetration site

Hookworm Infection - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via laboratory findings showing microcytic anemia

Hookworm Infection - Treatment

"Treated and prevented with Albendazole or Mebendazole."

Cutaneous Larva Migrans - Defining Features

"Caused by larvae of dog or cat hookworms migrating through skin in warm areas. Presents as an intensely pruritic erythematous papule on the feet or hands that progresses into serpiginous reddish-brown tracks."

Cutaneous Larva Migrans - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed clinically."

Cutaneous Larva Migrans - Treatment

"Mild cases are self-limited; Ivermectin or Albendazole can be used."

Enterobiasis (Pinworms) - Defining Features

"Caused by pinworms transmitted person-to-person via egg ingestion; common among school-aged children and household contacts. Symptoms include perianal pruritus

Enterobiasis (Pinworms) - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed by visual identification of adult worms or eggs on perianal skin using a tape test."

Enterobiasis (Pinworms) - Treatment

"Treated with Albendazole or Mebendazole. All family members and close contacts should be treated

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis - Defining Features

"Fungal yeast infection in women caused by Candida albicans. Manifests with vulvar pruritus

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed using a KOH prep showing budding yeast."

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis - Treatment

"Treated with oral Fluconazole."

Esophageal Candidiasis - Defining Features

"Yeast infection of the throat/esophagus caused by Candida albicans

Esophageal Candidiasis - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via endoscopy with biopsy and culture."

Esophageal Candidiasis - Treatment

"Treated with Fluconazole."

Oral Candidiasis (Thrush) - Defining Features

"Oral yeast infection caused by Candida albicans that is an AIDS-defining condition. Manifests with oral pain

Oral Candidiasis (Thrush) - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed clinically."

Oral Candidiasis (Thrush) - Treatment

"Treated with Fluconazole or Nystatin swish & swallow."

Candidal Funguria - Defining Features

"Presence of Candida yeast in the urine

Candidal Funguria - Diagnosis

"True Candida UTI is clinically indistinguishable from a bacterial UTI."

Candidal Funguria - Treatment

"Treated with Fluconazole."

Candidemia - Defining Features

"Presence of Candida yeast in the bloodstream. Manifestations range from minimal fever to severe septic shock."

Candidemia - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via blood cultures (which can be difficult to obtain)."

Candidemia - Treatment

"Treated with systemic antifungal therapy."

Cryptococcosis - Defining Features

"Caused by Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcosis - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via culture of respiratory secretions/pleural fluid

Cryptococcosis - Treatment

"Acute infection is treated with IV Amphotericin B for 2 weeks

Histoplasmosis - Defining Features

"Caused by Histoplasma capsulatum from soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Acute pulmonary form causes mild flu-like symptoms; progressive disseminated form in immunocompromised patients (CD4 < 100) causes weight loss

Histoplasmosis - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via fungal staining/culture and chest X-ray showing complex apical cavities

Histoplasmosis - Treatment

"Mild-to-moderate disease is treated with Itraconazole; severe disease requires Amphotericin B. HIV patients with CD4 < 100 require life-long suppressive therapy with Itraconazole."

Blastomycosis - Defining Features

"Fungal infection in south central/midwest US and Canada

Blastomycosis - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via microscopy showing large broad-based budding yeast."

Blastomycosis - Treatment

"Treated with Itraconazole

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) - Defining Features

"Fungal infection acquired from soil and dust in the southwestern US

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via serum antibody testing and pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging."

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) - Treatment

"Most cases are self-limited; progressive disease is treated with Itraconazole or IV Amphotericin B

Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP) - Defining Features

"Caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii

Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP) - Diagnosis

"Diagnosed via sputum testing

Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP) - Treatment

"Treated with TMP-SMX (Bactrim) with or without corticosteroids."

```