Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following species of Giardia is known to infect mammals, including humans?
Which of the following species of Giardia is known to infect mammals, including humans?
Which of the following statements regarding protozoan parasites is true?
Which of the following statements regarding protozoan parasites is true?
Which protozoan is classified as a flagellate?
Which protozoan is classified as a flagellate?
What is the main habitat of Giardia spp.?
What is the main habitat of Giardia spp.?
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Which of the following Giardia species is known to infect rodents and birds?
Which of the following Giardia species is known to infect rodents and birds?
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What is the primary mode of transplacental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in cats?
What is the primary mode of transplacental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in cats?
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Which stage of Toxoplasma gondii is most commonly responsible for clinical signs in infected individuals?
Which stage of Toxoplasma gondii is most commonly responsible for clinical signs in infected individuals?
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How long is the prepatent period for bradyzoites in tissues for Toxoplasma gondii?
How long is the prepatent period for bradyzoites in tissues for Toxoplasma gondii?
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What characteristic distinguishes the enteroepithelial cycle from the extraintestinal cycle of Toxoplasma gondii?
What characteristic distinguishes the enteroepithelial cycle from the extraintestinal cycle of Toxoplasma gondii?
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Which statement accurately describes the survival of sporulated oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii in the environment?
Which statement accurately describes the survival of sporulated oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii in the environment?
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What is essential to accurately diagnose Giardia infection when initial fecal examinations are negative?
What is essential to accurately diagnose Giardia infection when initial fecal examinations are negative?
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Which method is preferable for diagnosing Giardia cysts in fecal samples?
Which method is preferable for diagnosing Giardia cysts in fecal samples?
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Why might Lugol’s iodine be used when examining for trophozoites?
Why might Lugol’s iodine be used when examining for trophozoites?
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What is the primary route of transmission for Giardia spp.?
What is the primary route of transmission for Giardia spp.?
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What treatment options are available for Giardia infection in pets?
What treatment options are available for Giardia infection in pets?
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Which statement regarding cysts of Giardia is true?
Which statement regarding cysts of Giardia is true?
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Which of the following surfaces is most easily treated to inhibit Giardia cyst survival indoors?
Which of the following surfaces is most easily treated to inhibit Giardia cyst survival indoors?
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How long can fecal samples be stored in the refrigerator before testing for Giardia antigen using an ELISA test?
How long can fecal samples be stored in the refrigerator before testing for Giardia antigen using an ELISA test?
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What is a common clinical sign of intestinal infections caused by E. coli?
What is a common clinical sign of intestinal infections caused by E. coli?
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Which of the following best describes amoebic dysentery?
Which of the following best describes amoebic dysentery?
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Which diagnostic technique is most important for identifying trophozoites?
Which diagnostic technique is most important for identifying trophozoites?
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What is the recommended treatment for infections caused by Entamoeba histolytica?
What is the recommended treatment for infections caused by Entamoeba histolytica?
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How can the transmission of amoebic dysentery be prevented?
How can the transmission of amoebic dysentery be prevented?
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Which statement is true regarding Balantidium coli?
Which statement is true regarding Balantidium coli?
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What characteristic distinguishes coccidia from other protozoan parasites?
What characteristic distinguishes coccidia from other protozoan parasites?
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In which tissue do intestinal coccidia primarily parasitize?
In which tissue do intestinal coccidia primarily parasitize?
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What does a positive titer with detectable IgM level indicate about a cat's potential threat to humans?
What does a positive titer with detectable IgM level indicate about a cat's potential threat to humans?
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What happens to oocysts previously shed by a cat over time?
What happens to oocysts previously shed by a cat over time?
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When a cat has a negative titer, which of the following is a potential outcome upon exposure?
When a cat has a negative titer, which of the following is a potential outcome upon exposure?
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What is a recommended prevention strategy for T.gondii in cats?
What is a recommended prevention strategy for T.gondii in cats?
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Which medication is commonly included in the treatment of clinically ill cats infected with T.gondii?
Which medication is commonly included in the treatment of clinically ill cats infected with T.gondii?
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What shape are trophozoites and how are they characterized?
What shape are trophozoites and how are they characterized?
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What is the primary mode of transmission for Giardia spp.?
What is the primary mode of transmission for Giardia spp.?
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How do trophozoites affect the cells in the small intestine?
How do trophozoites affect the cells in the small intestine?
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Which of the following is a clinical sign associated with Giardia infection?
Which of the following is a clinical sign associated with Giardia infection?
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What is the function of cysts in the Giardia life cycle?
What is the function of cysts in the Giardia life cycle?
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What is commonly observed in Giardia-infected animals during the incubation period?
What is commonly observed in Giardia-infected animals during the incubation period?
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What is a characteristic of immature cysts?
What is a characteristic of immature cysts?
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What type of stool may indicate Giardia infection?
What type of stool may indicate Giardia infection?
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Study Notes
Protozoans
- Single-celled organisms
- Mostly free-living
- Some are parasitic in mammals
- A small percentage are pathogenic
- Some flourish during diarrhea, often mistaken as cause
Flagellates
- Giardia spp.
- Tritrichomonas foetus
- Balantidium coli
Amoebae
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Entamoeba invadens
- Entamoeba muris
Coccidia
- Eimeria spp.
- Cystoisospora spp.
- Sarcocystis spp.
- Cryptosporidium spp.
- Toxoplasma gondii
Giardia spp.
- Giardia intestinalis/Giardia duodenalis (formerly known as G. lamblia)
- Infects mammals (including humans) birds and reptiles
- Giardia muris infects rodents and birds
- Giardia agilis (formerly ranae) infects frogs
- Zoonotic (can infect humans and animals)
- Likely species in other animals
- All animals susceptible (mammals, reptiles, birds, frogs)
Life Cycles
- Giardia spp.
- Direct transmission (oral ingestion)
- Ingesting contaminated food or water
- Trophozoites in the small intestine
- Cysts in the colon
- Two life stages
- Trophozoites: Active, parasitic form, found in the small intestine
- Cysts: Dormant, infective form, found in feces
Clinical Signs
- Giardia spp
- Acute or chronic
- Normal or abnormal stools
- Small bowel diarrhea (pale, large volume)
- Steatorrhea (excess fat in feces; caused by malabsorption)
- Weight loss and /or failure to gain weight
- Incubation Period ~5 days,
- Prepatent period ~ 2 weeks
Diagnosis
- Giardia spp.:
- Cysts and trophozoites by microscopic examination, looking at fluid or stool samples.
- Floats or centrifugal techniques may be used
- Using ELISA test
Treatment
- Giardia spp.
- Metronidazole (Flagyl)
- Fenbendazole (Panacur)
Prevention
- Sanitation and disinfection to minimize transmission of Giardia spp.
- Avoid contaminated food and water supplies
Tritrichomonas spp and Trichomonas spp.
- Tritrichomonas foetus: Venereal disease in cattle
- Trichomonas vaginalis: Venereal disease in humans.
- Trichomonas gallinae: Oral lesions in birds
- Life cycle is direct; transmission via sexual exchange of seminal fluids (cattle and humans)
- Cattle (vaginitis, placentitis, abortions)
- Bulls (Infection subclinical)
Diagnosis
- Sample collection for culture and identification of organisms from preputial washes, uterine or vaginal discharges, or fluids from aborted fetuses.
Treatment
- Metronidazole
Prevention
- Sanitation, disinfect surfaces, isolate infected animals
Coccidia
- Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, Cystoisospora, Sarcocystis, Toxoplasma
- Intestine (primarily)
- Obligate intracellular parasites - Multiply inside cells
- Host-specific (exception is Cryptosporidium)
- Asexual reproduction occurs inside host cells
- Homoxenous and heteroxenous cycles
- Toxoplasma requires an intermediate host
Life Cycles
- Various, depending on the species.
- Some require more than one host
- Homoxenous (direct cycle): One host
- Heteroxenous (indirect cycle): Multiple hosts
Clinical Signs
- Coccidia
- Often subclinical, especially in adult animals
- Severe outbreaks more common in young animals living in crowded conditions.
- Concurrent diseases
- Loss of Appetite
- Poor Condition
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
Diagnosis
- Coccidia
- Microscopic examination of fecal samples for oocysts.
- Serologic testing (blood test) for antibodies.
Prevention
- Sanitation and disinfection to prevent spreading in certain environments.
Toxoplasma gondii
- Zoonotic
- Obligatory heteroxenous - require intermediate host for development
- Cats are the definitive host.
- Life cycle:
- Cats (definitive host) ingest oocysts and sexually reproduce in their intestines.
- Oocysts (resistant, infective form) are shed in their feces
- Intermediate hosts (like humans, birds, and mammals) ingest oocysts. Sporozoites invade tissues.
- Multiply asexually (tachyzoites), forming cysts.
- Can be transmitted via transplacental transmission.
- Clinical signs:
- Often subclinical; can be more severe in immune-compromised individuals.
- More severe in young animals kept in crowded, unsanitary conditions.
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Description
Test your knowledge about Giardia and its impact on mammals, including humans. This quiz explores various aspects of protozoan parasites, including their classification and habitats. Challenge yourself with questions on the characteristics and species of Giardia.
