10 Questions
Which of the following parasites can cause cysticercosis?
Taenia solium
What is the intermediate host of Taenia saginata?
Cow
What is the drug of choice for treating taeniasis and cysticercosis?
Albendazole
How is Taenia solium typically transmitted?
Through ingestion of larvae in pork
What is a characteristic feature of Taenia solium scolex?
Has 4 suckers and a circle of hooks around the rostellum
What is the main difference between Taenia saginata and Taenia solium scolex?
Presence or absence of hooks and rostellum
What is the consequence of rupturing a Taenia solium cyst?
Anaphylactic shock
Which of the following parasites does NOT cause cysticercosis?
Taenia saginata
How is Diphyllobothrium latum typically transmitted?
Through ingestion of raw or undercooked fish
What is a characteristic feature of Taenia saginata scolex?
Has 4 suckers and no hooks or rostellum
Study Notes
Medical Parasitology
- Parasitism: an organism (parasite) gains food and shelter from another (host) which suffers from the relationship
- Endoparasite: inside the body, connotes infection
- Ectoparasite: outside the body, connotes infestation
- Obligate parasite: type of parasite that requires host
- Facultative parasite: may exist as free living or parasitic within host
- Vector: living invertebrate carrier that transmits pathogen
Cutaneous/ Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
- Causes skin ulcers, visceral leishmaniasis, spiking fevers, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia
- Tx: Amphotericin B, sodium stibogluconate
- Key Terms: Oriental sore, Espundia, Kala-azar
Babesiosis
- Transmission: bite of Ixodes tick
- Disease: Babesiosis, fever and hemolytic anemia, predominantly in northeastern and north central United States
- Key Terms: Maltese Cross
- Treatment: Atovaquone + Azithromycin
Plasmodium spp. (Malaria)
- Transmission: bite of Anopheles mosquito
- Disease: Malaria, cyclic fevers, headache, anemia, splenomegaly, and hypoglycemia in severe disease
- Key Terms: Trophozoites, Cyst, Flagellated, Nonflagellated
- Treatment: Chloroquine (if sensitive), mefloquine, doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (if resistant)
Toxoplasmosis
- Transmission: ingestion, transplacental
- Disease: Congenital toxoplasmosis
- Key Terms: Heterophil-negative mononucleosis
Naegleria fowleri
- Transmission: swimming in warm freshwaters, enters CNS through olfactory nerve via cribriform plate
- Disease: Rapidly fatal meningoencephalitis
- Key Terms: Acid fast oocysts, Prevention (e.g., filtering), nitazoxanide
Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease/American Trypanosomiasis)
- Transmission: feces of reduviid bug/triatomine insect on bite
- Disease: Dilated cardiomyopathy with apical aneurysm, megacolon, megaesophagus
Nematodes
- Routes of infection:
- Ingested: Enterobius, Ascaris, Toxocara, Trichinella, Trichuris
- Mnemonic: You’ll get sick if you EAT These Things!
- Examples: Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, Diphyllobothrium latum
Comprehensive review of microbiology and parasitology, including medical parasitology, definition of terms, and types of parasitism.
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