GIT MICROBIOLOGY PARASITES BLOCK 4 m3
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Option 1: CSV Format (Recommended)
Copy this into a .csv file or Google Sheets (Column A = Term, Column B = Definition), then import to Knowt:
```csv
"Parasite: Definition","Live on/in host, benefit at host's cost → tissue damage/disease"
"Protozoa: Key feature","Unicellular, multiply inside human host"
"Helminths: Key feature","Multicellular, adults cannot multiply in humans"
"Parasites: Epidemiology","'Diseases of poverty' → poor sanitation, unsafe water, warm/humid climate, overcrowding"
"Soil-transmitted helminths (STH)","Ascaris, Hookworm, Trichuris — most prevalent"
"Parasites: Highest burden","Sub-Saharan Africa"
"Parasites: HIV risk","CD4 < 100 = high risk for opportunistic parasites"
"E. histolytica: Transmission","Fecal-oral; cysts infective"
"E. histolytica: Forms","Trophozoite (invasive) / Cyst (resistant, infective)"
"E. histolytica: Asymptomatic rate","80-99% asymptomatic carriers"
"E. histolytica: Intestinal disease","Amoebic dysentery: Bloody/mucus stool → flask-shaped ulcers, perforation, peritonitis"
"E. histolytica: Extra-intestinal","Liver abscess (most common)"
"E. histolytica: Stool diagnosis","4-nucleate mature cyst; trophozoites with ingested RBCs"
"E. histolytica: Other diagnosis","Sigmoidoscopy, US/CT, EIA/NAAT"
"E. histolytica: Treatment","Metronidazole (tissue/luminal) → THEN Paromomycin/Diloxanide furoate (eliminate cysts)"
"E. histolytica: Non-pathogenic mimic","E. dispar — identical morphologically but non-pathogenic"
"Giardia: Transmission","Waterborne (chlorine-resistant cysts), day-care outbreaks, animal reservoirs"
"Giardia: Clinical features","Bulky, foul-smelling, fatty stool; malabsorption, flatulence, weight loss, lactose intolerance"
"Giardia: Recurrent infection risk","IgA deficiency = recurrent"
"Giardia: Trophozoite appearance","'Face-like' 2 nuclei + axostyle, falling-leaf motility"
"Giardia: Cyst appearance","Oval, 4 nuclei; multiple samples needed (irregular shedding)"
"Giardia: Most sensitive diagnosis","EIA/NAAT (more sensitive than microscopy)"
"Giardia: Treatment","Tinidazole / Metronidazole / Albendazole / Nitazoxanide"
"Cryptosporidium: Key feature","Resists chlorination; oocysts 4-6 μm, acid-fast +ve"
"Cryptosporidium: Clinical (immunocompetent)","Self-limiting watery diarrhoea"
"Cryptosporidium: Clinical (AIDS)","Chronic/severe watery diarrhoea"
"Cryptosporidium: Treatment","Nitazoxanide + treat underlying HIV"
"Cystoisospora: Key feature","Tropical travel link; oocysts >10 μm"
"Cystoisospora: Treatment","Co-trimoxazole (1st-line)"
"Cyclospora: Key feature","~8-10 μm, acid-fast variable; flu-like + prolonged diarrhoea"
"Cyclospora: Treatment","Co-trimoxazole"
"Microsporidia: Key feature","Very small, intracellular; Enterocytozoon bieneusi commonest"
"Microsporidia: Stain","Calcofluor white / Trichrome"
"Microsporidia: Treatment","Albendazole / Fumagillin"
"HIV + diarrhoea + CD4 < 100: Think","Cryptosporidium, Cystoisospora, Microsporidia"
"Ascaris: Infective form","Ingest embryonated eggs"
"Ascaris: Loeffler's pneumonitis","Larval lung passage → pulmonary symptoms"
"Ascaris: Heavy load complications","Bowel obstruction, biliary/pancreatic complications"
"Ascaris: Fertilized egg","Thick mammillated coat"
"Ascaris: Unfertilized egg","Elongated, no larva"
"Ascaris: Treatment","Albendazole / Mebendazole"
"Trichuris: Key feature","Barrel-shaped eggs + bipolar plugs"
"Trichuris: Heavy infection","Rectal prolapse, growth retardation in kids"
"Trichuris: Treatment","Albendazole / Mebendazole"
"Enterobius: Most common","Most common nematode globally"
"Enterobius: Clinical clue","Perianal pruritus WORSE AT NIGHT"
"Enterobius: Best diagnosis","Scotch-tape test > stool"
"Enterobius: Egg appearance","Oval, flat on one side"
"Enterobius: Treatment","Pyrantel pamoate / Albendazole — treat household contacts"
"Hookworm: Infective form","Filariform larvae penetrate skin → 'Ground itch'"
"Hookworm: Clinical","Iron-deficiency anaemia (blood loss), eosinophilia, Loeffler syndrome"
"Hookworm: Egg appearance","Eggs identical — oval, thin shell"
"Hookworm: Treatment","Albendazole + iron replacement"
"Strongyloides: Unique feature","Autoinfection (internal reinfection cycle)"
"Strongyloides: Hyperinfection","Hyperinfection syndrome in immunosuppressed"
"Strongyloides: Clinical","Larva currens (fast-moving skin rash), pulmonary, mimics Crohn's"
"Strongyloides: Diagnosis","Rhabditiform larvae in stool/duodenal aspirate — NOT eggs; agar culture best"
"Strongyloides: 1st-line treatment","Ivermectin (superior to benzimidazoles)"
"Taenia saginata: Source","Beef"
"Taenia saginata: Scolex","Unarmed"
"Taenia saginata: Uterine branches",">13 uterine branches"
"Taenia solium: Source","Pork"
"Taenia solium: Scolex","Armed (hooklets)"
"Taenia solium: Uterine branches","<13 branches"
"Taenia solium: Critical concept","Humans = intermediate host → CYSTICERCOSIS / NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS"
"Neurocysticercosis: Significance","#1 cause of adult epilepsy in endemic areas"
"Taenia: Egg appearance","Eggs identical — radial striations + hooklets"
"Taeniasis: Treatment","Praziquantel"
"Neurocysticercosis: Treatment","Albendazole + Praziquantel + steroids ± surgery"
"Echinococcus: Definitive host","Dogs"
"Echinococcus: Human role","Accidental intermediate host"
"Echinococcus: Most common organs","Liver 65% > Lung 25%"
"Echinococcus: Critical complication","Cyst rupture → fatal anaphylaxis"
"Echinococcus: Diagnosis","Imaging + serology; histo = laminated + germinal layers"
"Echinococcus: Treatment","Albendazole + careful surgery / PAIR technique"
"Schistosoma: Infective form","Cercariae from snails → penetrate skin"
"S. haematobium: Egg spine","Terminal spine + URINE → haematuria, bladder cancer risk"
"S. mansoni: Egg spine","Lateral spine + STOOL → intestinal/hepatic disease"
"S. japonicum: Egg spine","Tiny/absent spine"
"Schistosoma: Clinical stages","Swimmer's itch → Katayama fever (acute, high eosinophilia) → chronic fibrosis/pulmonary/renal"
"Schistosoma: Treatment","Praziquantel ± steroids for acute syndrome"
"Autoinfection: Which parasites?","Strongyloides + Cryptosporidium"
"Neurocysticercosis: Caused by","T. solium EGGS, not adult tapeworm"
"Chlorine resistant: Which parasites?","Giardia + Cryptosporidium"
"Acid-fast +ve: Which parasites?","Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Cystoisospora"
"Bipolar plugs = ?","Trichuris (whipworm)"
"Flask ulcers = ?","Entamoeba histolytica"
"Falling leaf motility = ?","Giardia lamblia"
"Entamoeba + Giardia: 1st-line","Metronidazole"
"STH + Echinococcus: 1st-line","Albendazole"
"Strongyloides: 1st-line","Ivermectin"
"Cestodes + Schistosoma: 1st-line","Praziquantel"
"Cystoisospora + Cyclospora: 1st-line","Co-trimoxazole"
```
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Option 2: Tab-Separated Format (Direct Paste)
```
Parasite: Definition Live on/in host, benefit at host's cost → tissue damage/disease
Protozoa: Key feature Unicellular, multiply inside human host
Helminths: Key feature Multicellular, adults cannot multiply in humans
Parasites: Epidemiology 'Diseases of poverty' → poor sanitation, unsafe water, warm/humid climate, overcrowding
Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) Ascaris, Hookworm, Trichuris — most prevalent
Parasites: Highest burden Sub-Saharan Africa
Parasites: HIV risk CD4 < 100 = high risk for opportunistic parasites
E. histolytica: Transmission Fecal-oral; cysts infective
E. histolytica: Forms Trophozoite (invasive) / Cyst (resistant, infective)
E. histolytica: Asymptomatic rate 80-99% asymptomatic carriers
E. histolytica: Intestinal disease Amoebic dysentery: Bloody/mucus stool → flask-shaped ulcers, perforation, peritonitis
E. histolytica: Extra-intestinal Liver abscess (most common)
E. histolytica: Stool diagnosis 4-nucleate mature cyst; trophozoites with ingested RBCs
E. histolytica: Other diagnosis Sigmoidoscopy, US/CT, EIA/NAAT
E. histolytica: Treatment Metronidazole (tissue/luminal) → THEN Paromomycin/Diloxanide furoate (eliminate cysts)
E. histolytica: Non-pathogenic mimic E. dispar — identical morphologically but non-pathogenic
Giardia: Transmission Waterborne (chlorine-resistant cysts), day-care outbreaks, animal reservoirs
Giardia: Clinical features Bulky, foul-smelling, fatty stool; malabsorption, flatulence, weight loss, lactose intolerance
Giardia: Recurrent infection risk IgA deficiency = recurrent
Giardia: Trophozoite appearance 'Face-like' 2 nuclei + axostyle, falling-leaf motility
Giardia: Cyst appearance Oval, 4 nuclei; multiple samples needed (irregular shedding)
Giardia: Most sensitive diagnosis EIA/NAAT (more sensitive than microscopy)
Giardia: Treatment Tinidazole / Metronidazole / Albendazole / Nitazoxanide
Cryptosporidium: Key feature Resists chlorination; oocysts 4-6 μm, acid-fast +ve
Cryptosporidium: Clinical (immunocompetent) Self-limiting watery diarrhoea
Cryptosporidium: Clinical (AIDS) Chronic/severe watery diarrhoea
Cryptosporidium: Treatment Nitazoxanide + treat underlying HIV
Cystoisospora: Key feature Tropical travel link; oocysts >10 μm
Cystoisospora: Treatment Co-trimoxazole (1st-line)
Cyclospora: Key feature ~8-10 μm, acid-fast variable; flu-like + prolonged diarrhoea
Cyclospora: Treatment Co-trimoxazole
Microsporidia: Key feature Very small, intracellular; Enterocytozoon bieneusi commonest
Microsporidia: Stain Calcofluor white / Trichrome
Microsporidia: Treatment Albendazole / Fumagillin
HIV + diarrhoea + CD4 < 100: Think Cryptosporidium, Cystoisospora, Microsporidia
Ascaris: Infective form Ingest embryonated eggs
Ascaris: Loeffler's pneumonitis Larval lung passage → pulmonary symptoms
Ascaris: Heavy load complications Bowel obstruction, biliary/pancreatic complications
Ascaris: Fertilized egg Thick mammillated coat
Ascaris: Unfertilized egg Elongated, no larva
Ascaris: Treatment Albendazole / Mebendazole
Trichuris: Key feature Barrel-shaped eggs + bipolar plugs
Trichuris: Heavy infection Rectal prolapse, growth retardation in kids
Trichuris: Treatment Albendazole / Mebendazole
Enterobius: Most common Most common nematode globally
Enterobius: Clinical clue Perianal pruritus WORSE AT NIGHT
Enterobius: Best diagnosis Scotch-tape test > stool
Enterobius: Egg appearance Oval, flat on one side
Enterobius: Treatment Pyrantel pamoate / Albendazole — treat household contacts
Hookworm: Infective form Filariform larvae penetrate skin → 'Ground itch'
Hookworm: Clinical Iron-deficiency anaemia (blood loss), eosinophilia, Loeffler syndrome
Hookworm: Egg appearance Eggs identical — oval, thin shell
Hookworm: Treatment Albendazole + iron replacement
Strongyloides: Unique feature Autoinfection (internal reinfection cycle)
Strongyloides: Hyperinfection Hyperinfection syndrome in immunosuppressed
Strongyloides: Clinical Larva currens (fast-moving skin rash), pulmonary, mimics Crohn's
Strongyloides: Diagnosis Rhabditiform larvae in stool/duodenal aspirate — NOT eggs; agar culture best
Strongyloides: 1st-line treatment Ivermectin (superior to benzimidazoles)
Taenia saginata: Source Beef
Taenia saginata: Scolex Unarmed
Taenia saginata: Uterine branches >13 uterine branches
Taenia solium: Source Pork
Taenia solium: Scolex Armed (hooklets)
Taenia solium: Uterine branches <13 branches
Taenia solium: Critical concept Humans = intermediate host → CYSTICERCOSIS / NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS
Neurocysticercosis: Significance #1 cause of adult epilepsy in endemic areas
Taenia: Egg appearance Eggs identical — radial striations + hooklets
Taeniasis: Treatment Praziquantel
Neurocysticercosis: Treatment Albendazole + Praziquantel + steroids ± surgery
Echinococcus: Definitive host Dogs
Echinococcus: Human role Accidental intermediate host
Echinococcus: Most common organs Liver 65% > Lung 25%
Echinococcus: Critical complication Cyst rupture → fatal anaphylaxis
Echinococcus: Diagnosis Imaging + serology; histo = laminated + germinal layers
Echinococcus: Treatment Albendazole + careful surgery / PAIR technique
Schistosoma: Infective form Cercariae from snails → penetrate skin
S. haematobium: Egg spine Terminal spine + URINE → haematuria, bladder cancer risk
S. mansoni: Egg spine Lateral spine + STOOL → intestinal/hepatic disease
S. japonicum: Egg spine Tiny/absent spine
Schistosoma: Clinical stages Swimmer's itch → Katayama fever (acute, high eosinophilia) → chronic fibrosis/pulmonary/renal
Schistosoma: Treatment Praziquantel ± steroids for acute syndrome
Autoinfection: Which parasites? Strongyloides + Cryptosporidium
Neurocysticercosis: Caused by T. solium EGGS, not adult tapeworm
Chlorine resistant: Which parasites? Giardia + Cryptosporidium
Acid-fast +ve: Which parasites? Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Cystoisospora
Bipolar plugs = ? Trichuris (whipworm)
Flask ulcers = ? Entamoeba histolytica
Falling leaf motility = ? Giardia lamblia
Entamoeba + Giardia: 1st-line Metronidazole
STH + Echinococcus: 1st-line Albendazole
Strongyloides: 1st-line Ivermectin
Cestodes + Schistosoma: 1st-line Praziquantel
Cystoisospora + Cyclospora: 1st-line Co-trimoxazole
```
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Quick Reference: High-Yield Recall (Keep this handy!)
Concept Answer
Autoinfection Strongyloides + Cryptosporidium
Neurocysticercosis cause T. solium EGGS
Chlorine resistant Giardia + Cryptosporidium
Acid-fast +ve Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Cystoisospora
Bipolar plugs Trichuris
Flask ulcers Entamoeba
Falling leaf motility Giardia
1st-line: Entamoeba/Giardia Metronidazole
1st-line: STH/Echinococcus Albendazole
1st-line: Strongyloides Ivermectin
1st-line: Cestodes/Schistosoma Praziquantel
1st-line: Cystoisospora/Cyclospora Co-trimoxazole
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All 86 flashcards ready to go! Good luck with your GIT Parasites exam 🩺🔬