Veterinary Parasitology Chapter 10 - Protozoans

Study material for Chapter 10 of Diagnostic Parasitology for Veterinary Technicians. For class BIO225 at MWCC.

Some Protozoan characteristics include…

• Single cells eukaryotes​

• Most are free-living but some are parasitic to domestic animals and humans​

• Most are microscopic

Protozoans are under what Kingdom?

Protista

Protists are classified by the way they…

Move

What are the Phylums of Protozoans?

• Phylum: Sarcomastigophora​

  • Subphylum: Mastigophora (Flagellates​)

  • Superclass: Sarcodina (Amoeba​)

• Phylum: Ciliophora (Ciliates​)

• Phylum: Apicomplexa

Mastigophora contain at least one flagellum in what phase of theirs?

Trophozoite phase

Where are they found in the host?

They can swim in host blood, lymphatic fluid or cerebrospinal fluid

What shape are Mastigophoras?

Pear or bullet shaped

Some examples of Mastigophoras include…

• Leishmania

• Trypanosoma

• Trichomonas

• Histomonas

• Giardia

Sarcodinas are amoeboid and move through what?

Psuedopodia (fake feet)

Sarcodina have a motile trophozoite form as well as what other resistant form that can survive external conditions?

Cyst form

What shape are Sarcodinas?

Amorphous (blob-like shape)

What is the most important Sarcodina pathogen?

Entamoeba histolytica

What are Ciliaphoras covered in?

Cilia: Tiny, undulating hairs

Like Sarcodinas, what forms do Ciliphoras have?

Motile trophozoite form and resistant cyst form that can survive external conditions

True or false: All Ciliaphoras are parasitic

False: A few are parasitic, others are beneficial to host

Balantium coli is a common ciliate parasite, unique in that it contains two…

Nuclei: macronucleus and micronucleus

True or false: Apicomplexas are the most diverse and most complicated life cycles of Protozoans

True

How do Apicomplexas move?

Contain internal locomotion organelles

What shape are Apicomplexas?

Comma or banana shaped

Common Apicomplexa parasites include…

• Eimeria

• Cystiophora

• Toxoplasma

• Sarcocystis

• Cryptosporidium

• Plasmodium

• Leukocytozoon

• Babesia