Protozoan Parasites Classification

Sporozoa (Plasmodium spp. and Babesia spp.)

• Sporozoa are a phylum of protozoan parasites.
• Examples include Plasmodium spp. and Babesia spp.
• This group is important in medical laboratory science.

Classification of Protozoan Parasites

• Phylum Sarcomastigophora
  • Subphylum Sarcodina
    • Acathamoeba
    • Endolimax nana
    • Entamoeba dispar
    • Entamoeba coli
    • Entamoeba gingivalis
    • Entamoeba histolytica
    • lodamoeba butschlii
    • Naegleria fowleri
    • Chilomastix mesnili
    • Giardia lamblia
    • Dientamoeba fragilis
  • Subphylum Mastigophora
    • Trichomonas vaginalis
    • Trichomonas tenax
    • Trichomonas hominis
    • Leishmania braziliensis
    • Leishmania tropica
    • Leishmania donovani
    • Trypanosoma brucei complex
    • Trypanosoma cruzi
• Phylum Ciliophora
  • Balantidium coli
• Phylum Apicomplexa
  • Babesia spp.
  • Cryptosporidium hominis
  • Cyclospora cayetanesis
  • Isospora belli
  • Plasmodium spp.
  • Toxoplasma gondii
• Phylum Microspora
  • Enterocytozon bineusi
  • Encephalitozoon spp.
  • Vittaforma cornea
  • Pleistophora spp.
  • Brachiola vesicularum
  • Microsporidium spp

Specific Species of Plasmodium spp.

• Plasmodium falciparum
• Plasmodium vivax
• Plasmodium malariae
• Plasmodium ovale
• Plasmodium knowlesi

Specific Species of Babesia spp.

• Babesia microti
• Babesia divergens
• Babesia bovis

Malaria

• Etymology: From Italian "mal'aria," meaning "bad air."
• Considered the most important parasitic disease affecting humans.
• Vector: Female Anopheles mosquito (specifically Anopheles minimus var. flavirostris, Anopheles litoralis, Anopheles maculates, Anopheles mangyamus).
• Definitive host: Female Anopheles mosquito
• Intermediate host: Human
• Infective stages: Sporozoites (human), gametocytes (mosquito)

Periodicity/Febrile Cycle

• Malaria periodicity is related to the erythrocytic cycle of parasites.
• Different species of Plasmodium have different periodicity (e.g., P. falciparum - malignant tertian, P. vivax - benign tertian, P. malariae - quartan, P. ovale - ovale tertian).
• Timing data for various types are given

Old and New Names for Malaria Species

• Tabular data gives old versus new names for specific malaria species.

Source of Exposure to Infection

• Vector-borne (arthropod-borne)
• Imported malaria
• Transfusion malaria
• Mainline malaria
• Congenital malaria

Vector Biology

• Aquatic habitat, slow-flowing, shaded streams
• Night-biting (indoor and outdoor)
• Resting inside walls

Mosquito Life Cycle (Sporogony)

• Detailed steps through sporozoites, merozoites, gametocytes, and fertilization process
• Explains the process of mosquitos transmitting malaria

Schizogony (Asexual Cycle)

• Detailed stages within the erythrocytic cycle.
• Importance of liver cells for the exo-erythrocytic cycle
• Role of merozoites

Pre-erythrocytic (Tissue) Stage or Exoerythrocytic Stage

• Detailed steps explaining schizogony
• Role of hepatocytes and the enlarging schizont

Erythrocytic Cycle

• Details of stages including ring forms, trophozoites, schizonts, and merozoites
• Importance of merozoites infecting RBCs

Erythrocytic Stage

• Receptor for merozoites: glycophorin
• Merozoite morphology
• Malaria pigment (hemozoin)

Ring Forms

• Size and shape characteristics for various malaria species (P. vivax, P. malariae, P. falciparum, P. ovale)
• Chromatin, pigment, and distribution

Erythrocytic Stage Features

• Differences in appearance of malaria pigments across species
• Characteristics of the amoeboid/trophozoite form
• Merozoites dividing into schizonts/meronts.

Developing Trophozoites

• Detailed tables describing characteristics of the trophozoites for different malaria species

Immature Schizonts

• Size, shape, chromatin, and pigment characteristics

Mature Schizonts

• Size, shape, merozoite characteristics, and pigment

Gametogony

• Gametocyte development within internal organs
• Gametocyte morphology (P. falciparum vs. others)
• Critical role for mosquito infection

Microgametocytes (male)

• Detailed characteristics
• Time of appearance, number, size, shape, cytoplasm, chromatin, and pigment

Macrogametocytes (female)

• Detailed characteristics
• Time of appearance, number, size, shape, cytoplasm, chromatin, and pigment (and their comparison to male forms

Malaria Life Cycle Components

• Shows the cycle stages within the mosquito and human host

Intervals (Incubation and Prepatent)

• Length distinctions across different species

Clinical Features (Benign Malaria)

• Description of cold, hot, and sweating stages including symptoms

Malignant Tertian Malaria

• The most serious form (caused by P. falciparum)
• Serious complications

Algid Malaria

• Signs, symptoms and complications

Merozoite-induced Malaria

• Details of malaria caused by merozoites

Tropical Splenomegaly Syndrome

• Information and symptoms

Recrudescence and Relapse

• Distinctions between relapses and re-appearances within different species

Pathological Process of the RBC

• Poikilocytosis and anisocytosis
• Altered RBC membrane transport
• RBC stiffness, and cytoplasmic viscosity

Morphology

• Detailed characteristics of different Plasmodium species (e.g., P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale)—size, trophozoites, number of merozoites, stippling, ring forms, chromatin, applique, gametocytes/blood stages)

Diagnosis

• Microscopy (thick and thin blood smears)
• Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC)
• Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)
• Serologic tests
• Molecular methods (PCR)

Treatment

• Chemoprophylaxis
• Curative treatment including details about drugs and use
• Prevention through gametocidals

Prevention and Control

• Use of mosquito repellant
• Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs)
• Prophylactic medication
• Light-colored clothing
• Environmental and indoor factors
• Biologic control methods

Plasmodium knowlesi

• Characteristics specific to the primate malarial parasite

Babesia spp

• Species and descriptions
• How they are transmitted/symptoms
• Vector, transmission

Diagnosis for Babesia

• Details on pathological processes involving RBC

Treatment for Babesia

• Drug of choice and other treatment options

References

• Includes relevant authors and publications

In hoc quiz, explorabimus phylum Sporozoa et classificationem protozoorum parasitorum, inter quos sunt Plasmodium et Babesia. Cognosce diversitatem et proprietates huius phyla medici scientificorum laboratoriis maximi momenti. Discere poteris quales species in subphyla Sarcomastigophora et Mastigophora adsint.