parasites

micro bio

Describe how to test and diagnose for parasitic infections.

• O&P test (Ova & Parasite test): Stool sample checked for eggs/cysts.

• CBC blood smear: High eosinophil count suggests parasitic infection.

• Thin & thick blood smears: Used for malaria (Plasmodium).

• Microscopy: Detects trophozoites, cysts, or adult worms.

• Clinical symptoms: GI issues, itching, fever, anemia.

what is O&P test

stool sample checked for eggs/cysts

what is CBC blood smear

eosinophil count suggest for parasitic infection

what is thin and thick blood smear

used for malaria (plasmodium)

what is microscopy

detect adult worms, cysts, trophozoites

what are the clinical symptoms of diagnose for parasitic infections.

• anemia

• fever

• itching

• GI tissues

Describe the life cycle of parasites and how they reproduce.

• Protozoa: Single-celled, reproduce asexually.

  • Trophozoite: Active feeding stage.

  • Cyst: Dormant, resistant stage.

• Helminths (worms): Sexual reproduction.

  • Hermaphrodites: Tapeworms & flukes.

  • Egg → Larvae → Adult worm.

  • Intermediate host: Larval development.

  • Definitive host: Adult stage, reproduction.

List the three types of parasitic helminths.

• Nematodes (Roundworms).

• Trematodes (Flukes).

• Cestodes (Tapeworms).

what is Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm)

• Symptoms: GI bleeding, dysentery, loss of muscle tone, rectal prolapse

• Transmission: Eggs in contaminated soil or feces

• Prevention/Treatment: Hygiene, sanitation, anti-helminthic medication

what is Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm)

• Symptoms: Anal itching, restlessness, loss of appetite, weight loss

• Transmission: Eggs laid around anus, spread via fecal-oral route

• Prevention/Treatment: Handwashing, mebendazole/albendazole

what is Trichomonas vaginalis

• Symptoms: Itchy/burning genitals, frothy green/white discharge (females symptomatic, males carriers)

• Transmission: Sexually transmitted infection (STI)

• Prevention/Treatment: Safe sex practices, metronidazole

what is Schistosoma species (Blood flukes)

• Symptoms: Chronic infection, liver swelling/malfunction, eosinophilia

• Transmission: Snail intermediate host, penetrates intact skin in contaminated water

• Prevention/Treatment: Avoid contaminated water, praziquantel

what is Diphyllobothrium latum (Fish tapeworm)

• Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vitamin B12 deficiency → pernicious anemia

• Transmission: Raw/undercooked fish (salmon, sushi)

• Prevention/Treatment: Cook fish thoroughly, praziquantel

what is Leishmania species

• Symptoms: Cutaneous sores, mucocutaneous damage, visceral form fatal if untreated

• Transmission: Bite from infected sandfly

• Prevention/Treatment: Vector control, antimonial drugs

what is Giardia lamblia

• Symptoms: Greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain

• Transmission: Contaminated food/water, animal reservoirs, fomites

• Prevention/Treatment: Boil/filter water, metronidazole

what is Entamoeba histolytica

• Symptoms: Loose stool, cramping, stomach pain, hemorrhage, perforation, appendicitis, liver infection

• Transmission: Fecal-contaminated food/water

• Prevention/Treatment: Sanitation, metronidazole

what is Plasmodium (Malaria)

• Symptoms: Malaise, fatigue, body aches, chills, fever, sweating in 48–72 hr cycles

• Transmission: Female Anopheles mosquito

• Prevention/Treatment: Mosquito nets, quinine, chloroquine, artemisinin

what is Taenia solium (Pork tapeworm)

• Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss; cysticercosis → seizures, headaches, death

• Transmission: Undercooked pork (cysticerci), ingestion of eggs → larvae invade muscles/brain

• Prevention/Treatment: Cook pork, hygiene, praziquantel/albendazole