Diseases Caused by Protozoa

Amebic Dysentery

• Amebic dysentery is a disease caused by dirty hands.
• The causative agent of amebic dysentery is Entamoeba dysenteriae.
• Entamoeba dysenteriae is a protozoan.

Leishmaniasis

• Leishmania Donovani is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis.
• The vector for Leishmania Donovani is Phlebotomus.
• Leishmania tropica is the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
• Leishmania is cultured on NNN agar.

Trypanosomiasis

• Trypanosoma Gambiense Duton causes sleeping sickness.
• The vector for Trypanosoma Gambiense Duton is Glossina palpalis.
• The vector for Trypanosoma Rhodesiense is Glossina morsitans.
• The vector for Trypanosoma Cruzi is Triatoma megista.

Trichomoniasis

• Trichomoniasis is transmitted by coitus.
• Trichomonas vaginalis is cultured on Löffler's medium.

Giardiasis

• Giardia Lamblia can cause diseases such as hepatitis, osteoporosis, psychosis, and pregnancy.

Malaria

• Malaria is caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium falciparum.
• Plasmodium vivax causes Tertian malaria.
• Plasmodium malariae causes Quartan malaria.
• Plasmodium falciparum causes Tropical malaria.
• Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles.
• During Tropical malaria, sudden spikes in temperature occur every 24-48 hours.
• During Tertian malaria, sudden spikes in temperature occur every 48 hours.
• During Quartan malaria, sudden spikes in temperature occur every 72 hours.
• Malaria diagnosis is made by detecting parasites in the blood.

Toxoplasmosis

• Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan.
• Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is made by ELISA test.
• Toxoplasma gondii has an affinity for embryonic cells.

Dicrocoelium lanceolatum and Fasciola hepatica

• Dicrocoelium lanceolatum is a small fluke.
• Dicrocoelium lanceolatum parasitizes in liver and bile ducts.
• Fasciola hepatica is a large fluke.

Schistosomiasis

• Schistosoma haematobium belongs to trematodes.
• Schistosoma haematobium is a parasite of abdominal vein.
• Schistosoma mansoni is a parasite of colon vein.
• Schistosoma japonicum is a parasite of portal vein system.
• Humans are infected with Schistosoma mansoni by larval penetration through the skin.

Tapeworms

• Diphyllobothrium latum is a fish tapeworm.
• Diphyllobothrium latum is large, approximately 10-12 meters.
• Hymenolepis nana is a dwarf tapeworm.
• Hymenolepis nana is large, approximately 3-5 centimeters.
• The intermediate host for Hymenolepis nana is a water flea.
• Taenia solium is a pig tapeworm.
• Taenia solium is large, approximately 2-8 meters.
• The intermediate host for Taenia solium is a pig.
• The larval form of Taenia solium is Cysticercus cellulosae.
• Taenia saginata is a beef tapeworm.
• Taenia saginata is large, approximately 4-10 meters.
• The intermediate host for Taenia saginata is a calf.
• The larval form of Taenia saginata is Cysticercus bovis.
• Taenia echinococcus is a small tapeworm.
• The intermediate host for Taenia echinococcus is a human.
• The definitive host for Taenia echinococcus is a dog.
• The larval form of Taenia echinococcus is a hydatid cyst.

Other Parasites

• Ascaris lumbricoides is a child worm.
• Enterobius vermicularis is a child worm.
• The common name for Enterobius vermicularis is vermox.