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Questions and Answers
Which of these is NOT a characteristic of protozoans?
Which of these is NOT a characteristic of protozoans?
All protozoans are parasitic.
All protozoans are parasitic.
False (B)
What is the name of the disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica?
What is the name of the disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica?
Amebiasis
The protozoan Naegleria fowleri can cause a rare and fatal brain infection called ______.
The protozoan Naegleria fowleri can cause a rare and fatal brain infection called ______.
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Match the protozoan with its associated disease:
Match the protozoan with its associated disease:
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Which of these are potential modes of transmission for Acanthamoeba spp.? (Select all that apply)
Which of these are potential modes of transmission for Acanthamoeba spp.? (Select all that apply)
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Entamoeba gingivalis is an endoparasitic amoeba that infects the intestines.
Entamoeba gingivalis is an endoparasitic amoeba that infects the intestines.
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What is the name of the ciliated protozoan that causes "Ich" or white spot disease in fish?
What is the name of the ciliated protozoan that causes "Ich" or white spot disease in fish?
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Which of the following is NOT a symptom of Chagas' Disease?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of Chagas' Disease?
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Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals.
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals.
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What is the name of the parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium spp. and transmitted by mosquitoes?
What is the name of the parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium spp. and transmitted by mosquitoes?
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The ______ fly transmits the parasite that causes African Sleeping Sickness.
The ______ fly transmits the parasite that causes African Sleeping Sickness.
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Match the parasite with its corresponding disease:
Match the parasite with its corresponding disease:
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Trichomoniasis is primarily transmitted through contaminated water sources.
Trichomoniasis is primarily transmitted through contaminated water sources.
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Name two common symptoms of Cryptosporidium spp. infection.
Name two common symptoms of Cryptosporidium spp. infection.
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Which of the following parasites is NOT classified as an Apicomplexan?
Which of the following parasites is NOT classified as an Apicomplexan?
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Flashcards
Protozoan
Protozoan
A diverse group of unicellular eukaryotes, often mobile and heterotrophic.
Amoebazoa
Amoebazoa
A group of protozoans that includes amoebas, characterized by their shape-changing abilities.
Entamoeba histolytica
Entamoeba histolytica
A pathogenic amoeba that infects humans, causing amebiasis; cysts are 10-20 µm.
Acanthamoeba spp.
Acanthamoeba spp.
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Balantidium coli
Balantidium coli
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Giardia spp.
Giardia spp.
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Naegleria fowleri
Naegleria fowleri
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Ichthyophthirius multifiliis
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis
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Trypanosoma cruzi
Trypanosoma cruzi
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Leishmania spp.
Leishmania spp.
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Trichomonas vaginalis
Trichomonas vaginalis
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Apicomplexans
Apicomplexans
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Plasmodium spp.
Plasmodium spp.
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Cryptosporidium spp.
Cryptosporidium spp.
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Babesia spp.
Babesia spp.
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Emeria spp.
Emeria spp.
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Study Notes
Protozoan Overview
- Protozoans are single-celled eukaryotes, often studied as "protists".
- Diverse, classified into groups like Amoebazoa, Ciliata, Flagellates, and Apicomplexans.
- Can be free-living or parasitic.
- Exhibit asexual and sexual reproduction.
- Sizes range from 10 to 200 μm.
Amoebazoa
- Endoparasitic Amoebas
- Entamoeba histolytica:
- Infects humans and primates.
- Cysts (10-20 µm, 1-4 nuclei) survive in water and soil.
- Causes amebiasis (ranging from mild to dysentery; blood in stool).
- Single viable cyst can be infectious.
- Historical outbreaks in places like the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.
- Acanthamoeba spp.:
- Causes keratitis, granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE), and disseminated infections.
- Transmission via contact lenses, cuts, or inhalation.
- Naegleria fowleri:
- Causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)
- Rare, considered "brain-eating" bacteria
- Entamoeba histolytica:
- Ectoparasitic amoebas
- Entamoeba gingivalis:
- Found on teeth, gums, and tonsils.
- Transmission via oral-oral contact.
- Uterine colonization noted (a unique finding)
- Entamoeba gingivalis:
Ciliates
- Balantidium coli:
- Trophozoites (50-130 mm), cysts (40-60 mm).
- Causes balantidiasis, manifesting as chronic diarrhea, dysentery, and colitis with nausea.
- Ichthyophthirius multifiliis:
- Ciliated protozoa.
- Cause "Ich", or white spot disease, in fish.
- Highly contagious, spreading rapidly in crowded conditions.
- Characterized by white spots on skin or gills, irritation, weakness, and loss of appetite.
Flagellates
- Giardia spp.:
- Causes giardiasis, a diarrheal illness.
- Transmission by contaminated water (cysts are 8-14 µm).
- Symptoms include diarrhea, gas, greasy stools, abdominal cramps, and dehydration.
- Trypanosoma brucei (Sleeping Sickness):
- Transmitted by the tsetse fly.
- Affects humans. Symptoms include fever, headache, confusion, disrupted sleep patterns, and potentially death or coma.
- Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas' Disease):
- Transmitted by the triatomine bug (kissing bug).
- Affects humans and other mammals. Symptoms include swelling at the infection site, fever, fatigue, and muscle pain; can affect the heart or digestive system.
- Leishmania spp. (Leishmaniasis):
- Transmitted by sandflies.
- Affects humans, dogs, and wild animals. Causes various diseases, affecting skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs.
- Trichomonas vaginalis (Trichomoniasis):
- Transmitted via sexual contact.
- Affects humans. Women experience vaginal discharge, itching, discomfort; men are often asymptomatic or experience discomfort.
Apicomplexans
- Gregarines: Parasites of invertebrates (intestines, coeloms, and reproductive vesicles).
- Toxoplasma gondii:
- Foodborne transmission (including cat feces).
- Severe consequences in pregnancy or individuals with compromised immune systems.
- Definitive host is the cat; intermediate hosts include humans and other mammals. Symptoms range from mild flu-like symptoms to lymph node enlargement to severe brain inflammation.
- Plasmodium spp. (Malaria):
- Transmitted by mosquitoes.
- Causes high fevers, chills, and flu-like symptoms.
- Cryptosporidium spp. (Cryptosporidiosis):
- Similar to Giardiasis, causes diarrheal illness with cramps, dehydration, nausea, and vomiting.
- Transmission by ingestion of oocysts from contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
- Babesia spp. (Babeosis):
- Tick-borne disease.
- Malaria-like symptoms.
- Definitive host is the tick (vector); intermediate host typically is rodents, but humans can be affected.
- Emeria spp. (Coccidiosis):
- Intestinal or liver disease in various hosts.
- Transmission by ingestion of oocysts from contaminated food, water, or animal feces.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of protozoans, focusing on the Amoebazoa group, including endoparasitic amoebas like Entamoeba histolytica and Naegleria fowleri. Understand their life cycles, health implications, and transmission methods. This quiz delves into their diverse characteristics and impact on human health.
