Parasitic Diseases of the Respiratory System

Study Notes

Parasitic Diseases of the Respiratory System

Entamoeba histolytica:
- Causes amoebic abscesses in the liver, which may perforate the diaphragm.
- Symptoms include presence of cysts in stool, potential secondary infections, and complications from liver abscess.
- Diagnosed via X-ray and bronchoscopic aspirate.
- Treated with Metronidazole.
Plasmodium falciparum:
- Responsible for serious malaria; occludes microvasculature in vital organs by parasitized red blood cells (RBC).
- Symptoms feature increased respiratory rate, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- Treatment involves IV infusion of Quinine hydrochloride.
Pneumocystis jirovecii:
- Common opportunistic pathogen in patients with HIV/AIDS.
- Symptoms include cough, dyspnoea, anorexia, and pneumonia.
- Diagnosed using chest X-ray, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) staining, and PCR.
- Treated with TMP-SMX.
Loeffler’s Syndrome:
- Associated with parasitic worms like Ascaris, Strongyloides, and Hookworm.
- Symptoms involve asthmatic attacks, wheezing, fever, and paroxysmal cough.
- Diagnosis can include sputum examination and biopsy.
- Treatment options include Thiabendazole, Albendazole, and Mebendazole.
Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia:
- Caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi; involves immune hyper-response.
- Symptoms consist of severe paroxysmal cough and low-grade fever.
- Diagnosed using X-ray and serological tests.
- Treated with DEC (Diethylcarbamazine).
Visceral Larva Migrans:
- Caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati; involves secretion of enzymes and proteins by migrating larvae.
- Symptoms include cough, dyspnoea, nausea, asthmatic attacks, and nocturnal sweats.
- Diagnosed through ELISA and Western blot tests.
- Treated using Albendazole or Thiabendazole.
Paragonimus westermani:
- Infects the lungs after consumption of raw or undercooked crab or crayfish.
- Symptoms include rusty colored sputum and persistent cough.
- Diagnosed via stool examination.
- Treated with Praziquantel.
Echinococcus granulosus:
- Infection occurs via ingestion of infective eggs from contaminated food or water.
- Diagnosed using ELISA and EITB tests.
- Treatment may require surgical intervention along with Albendazole.

Parasitic Diseases of the Respiratory System

Entamoeba histolytica
- Causes complications such as liver abscess and possible perforation through the diaphragm.
- Symptoms include presence of cysts in stool, coughing, and potential involvement of the respiratory system.
- Diagnosis through X-ray and bronchoscopic aspirate, treated with Metronidazole.
Plasmodium falciparum
- Leads to serious malaria by occluding microvasculature due to clumping of parasitized red blood cells (RBC).
- Symptoms include increased respiratory rate, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- Managed with IV infusion of Quinine hydrochloride.
Pneumocystis jirovecii
- Alcohol-drug-associated opportunistic infections, particularly in HIV/AIDS patients.
- Symptoms encompass cough, dyspnoea, anorexia.
- Diagnosis via chest X-ray, BAL-staining, and PCR; treated with TMP-SMX.
Loeffler’s syndrome
- Associated with Ascaris, Strongyloides, and Hookworm causing mechanical damage in lungs.
- Triggers asthmatic attacks, wheezing, fever, and paroxysmal cough.
- Diagnosed through sputum examination or biopsy, treated with Thiabendazole, Albendazole, or Mebendazole.
Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia
- Caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi leading to immune hyper response.
- Symptoms include severe paroxysmal cough and low-grade fever.
- Diagnosis via X-ray and serological tests; treatment involves DEC.
Visceral larva migrans
- Caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, with inflammatory reactions due to migrating larvae.
- Symptoms include cough, dyspnoea, nausea, asthmatic attacks, and nocturnal sweats.
- Diagnosis through ELISA and Western blot; treated with Albendazole or Thiabendazole.
Paragonimus westermani
- Infection occurs through consumption of raw or undercooked crab or crayfish.
- Symptoms include rusty colored sputum and cough.
- Diagnosed through stool examination; treatment involves Praziquantel.
Echinococcus granulosus
- Infection occurs by ingesting infective eggs in contaminated food or water.
- Diagnosis through ELISA and EITB, treatment options include Albendazole or surgical intervention.