Parasitology - Protozoa: Flagellates

How many flagellates are there and what are they?

4, trichimonas, giardia, leishmania, and trypanasoma

What is another name for trichimonas?

vaginalis

What is the natural reservoir for trichimonas?

humans

What is trichimonas transmitted and pathogenic form?

sexual/trophozite

How is trichimonas transmitted?

sex

How does trichimonas present differently between men and women?

Women: range from asymptomatic —> scant, watery vaginal discharge —> vaginitis (inflammation, itching, burning, and painful urination

Men: usually asymptomatic

How is trichimonas treated? Prevented? Other?

anti-parasitic drugs; have safe sex and education; ping-pong effect

What is another name for giardia?

lamblia

What is giardia’s natural reservoir?

wildlife (especially muskets and beavers (pones))

What is Giardia transmitted and pathogenic form?

cyst (released by wildlife - consumed)/trophozoite

How is giardia transmitted?

fecal-oral (contamination water)

How does Giardia present?

incubation period of 1-4 days, apron. 50% of people are asymptomatic (no diarrhea), symptomatic ranges from mild diarrhea —> severe malabsorption, may become chronic

How is giardia treated? Prevented? Other?

anti-parasitic; clean water; problematic for individuals with IgA deficiency (antibody working out in mucosal surfaces)

How many species does leishmania have?

several; Donovan, major, tropicana, braziliensis

What is leishmania’s natural reservoir?

mammals (rodents, cats, and dogs)

What is leishmania transmitted and pathogenic form?

proboscis/amastigote

How is leishmania transmitted?

sandfly

How is leishmania treated? Prevented? Other?

anti-parasitics; dont get bit, use insect repellent; drug resistance breaking more prevalent

What are other words for trypanosoma?

brucei (sleeping sickness - Africa) and cruzi (chagas disease - south america)

What is trypanosoma brucei’s natural reservoir?

humans

What is trypanosoma brucei transmitted and pathogenic form?

insects (flies)/trypomastigote

how is trypanosoma brucei transmitted?

tsetse fly

How is trypanosoma brucei presented?

incubation period of days to weeks; lethargy, tremors, meningoencephalitis progressing to convulsions and finally and comatose state prior to death

How is trypanosoma brucei treated? Prevented?

anti-parasitics (before it reaches the brain); not getting bit, repellants, sleeping nets, and clothes

What is trypanosoma cruzi’s natural reservoir?

wild animals (south america)

What is trypanosoma cruzi transmitted and pathogenic form?

insect/trypomastigote

How is trypanosoma cruzi transmitted?

reduviid bug (kissing bug)

How does trypanosoma cruzi present?

Acute: fever, chills, fatigue (death may occur); chronic: hepatosplenomegaly, myocarditis, enlargement, of esophagus, and colon call due to nerve damage - death

How is trypanosoma cruzi treated? Prevented? Other?

earlier the better (anti-parasitics - don’t work for chronic); dont get bit; most severe in childern under 5