week 5

• What is the main focus of the lecture on protozoa?


  General principles of protozoan infection
• What are the four classifications of protozoa based on movement?


  Ciliates, Flagellates, Apicomplexa, Amoebae
• Which protozoan is responsible for malaria?


  Plasmodium sp.
• What are the main transmission routes for protozoan diseases?


  Ingestion, Vectors, Sexual contact, Transovarial, Placental
• Which protozoan is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito?


  Plasmodium sp.
• What disease is caused by Trypanosoma spp. transmitted by the tsetse fly?


  Sleeping sickness
• What is the primary vector for Chagas disease?


  Triatomine bugs
• What are the key features of the malaria life cycle?

  • Schizogony: asexual reproduction of sporozoites
  • Dormant parasites in liver (P. ovale; P. vivax)
  • Sexual stage occurs in the mosquito
  • Trophozoite stage in the human host
• What role does the circumsporozoite protein play in malaria?


  It aids in the invasion of host cells
• What are the symptoms of malaria caused by Plasmodium species?


  Fever, chills, and sweating
• What is the pyrogenic threshold for malarial fever?


  Ranges from 200 – 1500 parasites / µl blood
• What are some conditions that provide protection against malaria?

  Sickle cell, Thalassemia, Lack of Duffy factor, G6PD deficiency
• What is the treatment for complex cases of toxoplasmosis?


  Pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine and folinic acid
• What are the two stages of American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease)?


  • Acute stage: swelling at the site of infection
  • Chronic stage: cardiac symptoms and megaviscera
• What is the primary vector for Leishmaniasis?


  Phlebotomine sandfly
• What are the symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis?


  Fever, weight loss, enlargement of spleen and liver, anemia
• What are the clinical presentations of cutaneous leishmaniasis?


  • One or more skin sores
  • Sores can last weeks to years
  • Raised edges and central crater if untreated
• What are some recommended preventive measures against leishmaniasis?


  • Use sandfly nets
  • Impregnate nets with permethrin
• What is the role of glycosomes in trypanosomes?


  They contain enzymes involved in ATP generation
• What is the significance of cytokine release in African Trypanosomiasis?


  It is important in the pathogenicity of the disease
• How does the transmission of Chagas disease differ in urban areas compared to rural areas?


  Spread via blood transfusions is more common in urban areas
• What are the main sources of Toxoplasma gondii infection?


  • Cat litter
  • Contaminated water
  • Undercooked meat
  • Transplacental transmission
• What are the possible outcomes of Toxoplasma gondii infection during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy?


  • Ocular abnormalities
  • Brain damage
  • Foetal death
• What are the symptoms of Toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals?


  • Pneumonia
  • Cerebral calcification
  • Nephritis
  • Skin rashes
• What are the key features of the lifecycle of Toxoplasma gondii?


  • Oocysts shed in feces
  • Sporulation occurs
  • Intermediate hosts with tachyzoites
  • Transplacental transmission possible
• What are the differences between metacyclic, procyclic, and epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma spp.?


  • Metacyclic: infective stage
  • Procyclic: arthropod reproductive stage
  • Epimastigote: non-infective
• What are the habitats of the tsetse fly?


  • Forests and shrub land
  • Rivers and watering holes
  • Concentration near human settlements
• What are the symptoms of Human African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)?


  • Weight loss
  • Neurological impairment
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Fever and severe headaches
• What are the characteristics of American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease)?


  • Acute stage with swelling
  • Chronic stage with cardiac symptoms
  • Spread via blood transfusions
• What are the clinical presentations of Leishmaniasis?


  • Cutaneous: skin sores
  • Mucocutaneous: naso-pharyngeal tissues affected
  • Visceral: fever, weight loss, organ enlargement