Parasitology

How is malaria spread?

What stains are used to see Plasmodium species and what do they look like?

What protozoa species cause malaria?

What is the infective stage of Plasmodium species?

What part of the life cycle of Plasmodium is the stage that invades erythrocytes?

What is the term for referring to the condition that occur after several weeks, the parasites can increase in number and the symptoms will return?

What Plasmodium species:
Has Shuffner's dots - usually present in all infected RBCs except with early ring forms
Number of merozoites - 16 (12-24)
Infected RBCs enlarged
Trophozoites are irregular shaped

What plasmodium species:
Has NO Shuffner's dots seen in peripheral blood
Multiple ring forms see in single RBC
Crescent shaped gametes ring shaped young trophozoites are only forms seen

What plasmodium species:
Has NO Shuffner's dots
Number of merozoites: 8 (6-12)
Infected RBCs normal in size and color
Trophozoites compact and band forms may be seen

What plasmodium species:
Shuffner's dots are usually present in all infected RBCs
Number of merozoites: 9 (8-12)
Infected RBCs are enlarged and often shaped with fimbriated edges
Trophozoites irregular shaped

If you see crescent or banana shaped gametocytes, what are they diagnostic of?

What protozoa:
Causes babesiosis
Is also an erythrocytic intracellular parasite
Has 2-4 rings per RBC are often seen, sometimes appearing like a "Maltese cross"

What clinical conditions are associated with Babesia microti?

What protozoa:
Has a predilection for CNS infections
Can occur in premature or antibody deficient infants, where symptoms inclue splenomegaly, jaundice, and fever
Spread by the ingestion of cat feces, undercooked lamb and pork
Diagnosis is by serologic testing for antibodies

What protozoa causes amebic meningoencephalitis, which is often fatal within 3-6 days

What protozoa is diagnosed by finding the cyst or trophozoite stages in CSF?

What protozoa:
Causes vaginitis in women, whereas men are generally asymptomatic carriers
Are motile, with an undulating membrane
Pear shaped

Where are hemoflagellates found?

What protozoa
Causes African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness
Infection affects the lymphatic system and CNS

What protozoa causes Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis, which is characterized by lesion formation (chagoma), conjuctivitis, edema of the face and legs, and heart muscle involvement leading to myocarditis

What is diagnositic when finding the amastigote in the blood or tissue plus serologic testing?

What does Leishmania cause?