Lab 11: Protozoa Quiz

What is the disease that is caused by Leishmania common in wild & domestic dogs and small rodents?

Leishmaniasis

How is the disease Leishmaniasis transmitted?

An infected sand fly is spread when the fly bites an infected dog or rodent, which then bites a human  

In what type of regions is Leishmaniasis most commonly seen?

Tropics

What are the common signs and symptoms of Leishmaniasis?

Lesions around bite wounds 

How can the disease Leishmaniasis disfigure patients?

The lesions can enlarge and form ulcers, which can leave scars

How can the pathogen of Leishmaniasis through the body?

It survives in macrophages that carry the pathogen to the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Can be fatal

What is the disease that is caused by the Trypanosoma brucei?

African Sleeping Disease

How is the African Sleeping Disease transmitted? 

Bite of Tsestes flies 

What are the common signs and symptoms of African Sleeping Disease?

• Bites become necrotic

• Fever, swelling of lymph nodes, headache, extreme drowsiness, abnormal neurological function

• Can lead to coma and death

How does the pathogen of African Sleeping Disease spread? Through which system?

• Spread through the blood and can enter the brain, spinal cord, and CSF

• Nervous system

The organism Trypanosoma cruzi causes what disease?

Chagas’ disease

How is Chagas’ Disease transmitted?

Triatoma (Kissing bugs) bite and rub feces into the bite wound

What are the host cells that are infected in Chagas’ Disease?

Macrophages and heart muscle cells

The common signs and symptoms of Chagas’ Disease?

• Swelling at the bite

• Fatigue, Fever, Malaise, Lymph Node swelling

• Inflammation of the heart muscles

What happens during the chronic stage of Chagas’ Disease? 

Congestive heart failure develops 

TRUE or FALSE

Both African Sleeping Disease and Chagas’ Disease are caused by Trypanosoma species

TRUE

TRUE or FALSE

Both African Sleeping Disease and Chagas’ Disease are caused by bug bites 

TRUE

Both African Sleeping Disease and Chagas’ Disease switch antigen to evade form immune system

TRUE

What are similar symptoms that are experienced both in African Sleeping Disease and Chagas’ Disease?

• fever

• Lymph Node swelling

• Fatigue

What is the disease that the organism Plasmodium species cause? 

Malaria 

In Malaria, what host cell does its organism infect?

Red blood cells

How is the disease Malaria transmitted?

Through a mosquito bite

What part of the world are most likely to see Malaria infections?

• South America

• Asia 

• Africa 

What are the common signs and symptoms of Malaria?

• Jaundice 

• Recurrent Fever

• Headache 

• vomiting 

• Diarrhea 

Why does Malaria cause jaundice?

the red blood cells are lysed as new Plasmodium are released, thus leading to an increase in RBC lysis that can lead to anemia and jaundice

What is the disease that the organism Toxoplasma gondii causes?

Toxoplasmosis

How is the disease Toxoplasmosis transmitted?

• Eating undercooked meat that’s infected 

• Ingesting infected cat feces

What are the common signs and symptoms of Toxoplasmosis?

• Fever, malaise 

• Inflammation of the lungs, liver, and heart 

• May lead to blindness, encephalitis, death 

What populations are most at risk of developing Toxoplasmosis?

• HIV / AIDS patients

• unborn children, specifically during the first trimester

What are the complications in the fetus/newborn with Toxoplasmosis? 

• Blindness 

• Mental Retardation 

• Epilepsy

• Microcephaly 

• Spontaneous abortion/miscarriage, stillbirth 

What is the disease caused by the organism Giardia intestinalis?

Giardiasis

How is Giardiasis transmitted?

By digesting a cyst from contaminated water, food, or hands

What are the common signs and symptoms of Giardiasis?

• may be asymptomatic 

• 1-2 weeks of GI distress (severe diarrhea, bloating, nausea, weight loss)

How does Giardiasis affect the structure of the intestines? How will this affect the function of the intestines?

• The pathogen attaches to the intestinal wall and prevents the absorption of nutrients. After pathogen removal, the intestinal wall can be scarred, and also decrease nutrient absorption

What is the disease that the organism Cryptosporidium parvum cause?

Cryptosporidosis

How is Cryptosporidosis transmitted?

• Drinking contaminated water 

• Fecal to oral contamination 

What are the common signs and symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis?

• Severe watery diarrhea for 2 weeks

• Headache, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue

What populations are at most risk of contracting Cryptosporidiosis?

Immunocompromised patients

What are some complications of this Cryptosporidiosis? 

• Hepatitis 

• Pancreatitis 

• Malabsoprtion of nutrients 

What disease is caused by the organism Trichomonas vaginalis?

Trichomoniasis

How is Trichomoniasis transmitted?

• Sexual intercourse

• Sharing washcloths with an infected person

• Newborns can get this as they pass through the birth canal

What are the common signs and symptoms of Trichomoniasis in women?

• Vaginal discharge (yellowish-green and foul-smelling)

• Vaginal irritation, genital lesions

• Painful urination or intercourse

What are the common signs and symptoms of Trichomoniasis in men?

• usually asymptomatic 

• inflammation of the urethra and prostate 

• painful urination 

What is the disease that the organisms Acanthamoeba species and Naegleria species cause? 

Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalopathy 

How is Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalopathy transmitted?

• Pathogen enters the nose via contaminated water

• Most cases in the US are from swimming in freshwater during the summer, and nasal irrigation using fresh water

• enter through cuts in the skin, eyes, inhaling contaminated water

How does the pathogen of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalopathy spread to the brain? 

Moves to the brain using cranial nerves 

What are the common signs and symptoms of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalopathy?

• Fever

• Stiff neck

• Headache

• Vomiting

• Altered mental state

What is the major concern if the patient has this disease?

• Progress is rapid and is almost always fatal

• 92% of cases result in death