Experimen 3B - Protozoa

Entamoeba histolytica

General charcteristics

• Unicellular protozoan parasite.

• Causes amoebiasis, which affects the intestines.

• Found primarily in contaminated food and water.

• Moves via pseudopodia (false feet).

Amoebozoa

Phylum of Entamoeba histolytica

Archamoebae

Class of Entamoeba histolytica

Amoebiasis

Diseases that Entamoeba histolytica can cause.

Safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and hygiene.

How to prevent Amoebiasis?

Metronidazole or tinidazole

Treatment for Amoebiasis

Entamoe histolytica

Giardia lamblia

General characteristics:

• Flagellated protozoan parasite.

• Causes giardiasis, a diarrheal disease.

• Found in contaminated water and food.

• Distinctive pear shape with multiple flagella.

Metamonada

Phylum of Giardia lamblia

Zoomastigophorea

Class of Giardia lamblia

Giardiasis

Disease that Giardia lamblia can cause.

Drinking clean, filtered water and practicing good hygiene.

How to prevent Giardiasis?

Metronidazole or tinidazole

Treatment for Giardiasis

Giardia lamblia

Balantidium coli

General characteristics:

• The only ciliate known to infect humans.

• Causes balantidiasis, an intestinal infection.

• Usually transmitted through contaminated food or water.

• Uses cilia for movement.

Ciliophora

Phylum of Balantidium coli

Litostomatea

Class of Balantidium coli

Balantidiasis

Disease that Balantidium coli can cause.

How to prevent Balantidiasis?

Tetracycline or metronidazole

Treat for Balantidiasis

Balantidium coli

Plasmodium malariae

General characteristics:

• Parasitic protozoa responsible for malaria in humans.

• Complex life cycle with transmission via mosquito bites.

• Affects red blood cells and liver.

Apicomplexa

Phylum of Plasmodium malariae

Aconoidasida

Class of Plasmodium malariae

Malaria

Disease that Plasmodium malariae can cause.

Mosquito control, insect repellent, and antimalarial medications.

How to prevent Malaria?

Chloroquine or artemisinin-based therapies

Treatment for Malaria

Plasmodium malariae

Trichomonas vaginalis

General characteristics:

• Flagellated protozoan parasite.

• Causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection.

• Found in the urogenital tract.

Parabasalia

Phylum of Trichomons vaginalis

Trichomonadida

Class of Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis

Diseases that Trichomonas vaginalis can cause.

Safe sex practices, use of condoms.

How to prevent Trichomoniasis?

Metronidazole or tinidazole

Treatment for Trichomoniasis

Trichomonas vaginalis