Blood Parasites PDF

Wuchareria bancrofti *(lymphatic filariasis) *(elephantiasis) Site : lymphatic vessels of extremities *(legs and arms) Final host: human Vector: mosquitos ( Aedes)  Microfilaria *( sheathed present in peripheral blood vessels at night) Symptoms A small percentage of persons w...

Wuchareria bancrofti *(lymphatic filariasis) *(elephantiasis) Site : lymphatic vessels of extremities *(legs and arms) Final host: human Vector: mosquitos ( Aedes)  Microfilaria *( sheathed present in peripheral blood vessels at night) Symptoms A small percentage of persons will develop lymphedema. This is caused by fluid collection because of improper functioning of the lymph system resulting in swelling. This mostly affects the legs, but can also occur in the arms, breasts, and genitalia. Most people develop these symptoms years after being infected. Elephantiasis The swelling and the decreased function of the lymph system make it difficult for the body to fight germs and infections. These people will have more bacterial infections in the skin and lymph system. This causes hardening and thickening of the skin, which is called elephantiasis.  DIAGNOSIS 1. Night Blood Sampling 1.1. Collect blood specimen from 8 pm to 4 am – Thick Smear (Giemsa or H&E) 1.2. Microscopic examination for microfilariae 1.3. 2. Antigen-detection (ELISA) to detect CFA (circulating filarial antigen” 4.3. Ultrasonography 5. Xenodiagnosis -mosquito stomach blood, not very helpful Plasmodium Plasmodium is a genus of unicellular eukaryotes that are obligate parasites of vertebrates Plasmodium is a member of the phylum Apicomplexa P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. Malariae Vector mosquitos The life cycle of Plasmodium involves several distinct stages in the insect and vertebrate hosts. Parasites are generally introduced into a vertebrate host by the bite of an insect host (generally a mosquito) Parasites first infect the liver or other tissue, where they undergo a single large round of replication before exiting the host cell to infect erythrocytes. most Plasmodium species, the parasites in infected liver cells are only what are called merozoites. After emerging from the liver, they enter red blood cells, They then go through continuous cycles of erythrocyte infection, while a small percentage of parasites differentiate into a sexual stage called a gametocyte which is picked up by an insect host taking a blood meal. Symptoms Signs and symptoms of malaria may include: Fever Headache Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal pain Muscle or joint pain Fatigue Rapid breathing Rapid heart rate Cough Malaria signs and symptoms typically begin within a few weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some types of malaria parasites can lie dormant in your body for up to a year. sometimes be severe, rapidly followed by death of the host (e.g. P. falciparum in humans).