IDENTIFICATION OF COMMON HEMOPARASITES.pptx

IDENTIFICATION OF COMMON HEMOPARASITES

1. IDENTIFICATION OF COMMON HEMOPARASITES -Dr. Aparna Sajjan

2. Hemoparasites Hemoparasites are organisms that inhabit the bloodstream of their host. Common types of hemoparasites include: Plasmodium Leishmania Trypanosoma Microfilariae Babesia microti

3. MALARIAL PARASITE Four main Plasmodium species infect humans: Plasmodium vivax Plasmodium falciparum Plasmodium malariae Plasmodium ovale Among these, Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the most severe and life-threatening malaria cases. The other three species generally cause less severe illness, with fatalities being uncommon.

4. CLINICAL FEATURES Malaria symptoms can include Fever and flu-like illness Chills Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

5. Complications Anemia and jaundice If not treated right away, the infection can become serious. It may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death. Cerebral malaria Black water fever

6. Diagnostic Methods Peripheral blood smear analysis Rapid diagnostic tests PCR detection of parasite DNA

7. Microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears is the main method for malaria diagnosis- the gold standard for malaria diagnosis. Thick smear: Used for parasite detection. Enables rapid screening, especially in low parasitemia. More sensitive than thin smears. Thin smear: Used for definitive identification of parasite species.

8. Microfilariae Wuchereria bancrofti Brugia malayi Brugia timori Loa loa (also found in subcutaneous tissue) Mansonella perstans / M. ozzardi

9. Clinical Features Recurrent fever Lymphangitis Orchitis, epididymitis in males Elephantiasis Hydrocele Chyluria

10. Diagnosis Direct Demonstration of Microfilariae Peripheral blood smear (thick & thin smears) – stained with Giemsa/Leishman/Wright Blood collection at night (10 PM–2 AM) → due to nocturnal periodicity of microfilariae (W. bancrofti , B. malayi ) Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) provocation test may be used if smear negative

11. Concentration Techniques Knott’s concentration method ( formalin –glycine lysis + centrifugation) Molecular Methods-PCR for species-specific identification Antigen Detection-ELISA

12. IDENTIFICATION Microfilariae in blood smear Wuchereria bancrofti : Sheathed Tail tip free of nuclei Smooth curves Brugia malayi : Sheathed Two distinct nuclei at tail tip (subterminal + terminal) More curved, kinked body Loa loa Sheathed Continuous nuclei to tail tip Onchocerca volvulus: Unsheathed, no nuclei at tip Found in skin snips, not blood

13. Babesia Cause Babesiosis, a malaria-like zoonotic infection. Babesia are intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites transmitted by ticks. Clinical Features Fever, chills, sweating (malaria-like paroxysms). Fatigue, malaise, myalgia. Hemolytic anemia and jaundice. Hepatosplenomegaly.

14. Diagnosis Peripheral blood smear Findings: Small, pleomorphic, intraerythrocytic ring forms (similar to plasmodium falciparum). Characteristic tetrad arrangement (“ maltese cross”), pathognomonic for babesia. Other tests: PCR (species identification) Serology (IFA, ELISA) for epidemiological confirmation.

15. Leishmania Cause Leishmaniasis Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) – L. donovani complex. Cutaneous leishmaniasis – L. tropica, L. mexicana . Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis – L. braziliensis . Exist in two forms: Amastigote ( aflagellate , intracellular in macrophages). Promastigote (flagellated, in sandfly vector and culture).

16. Flagella

17. Clinical Features Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) fever Weight loss, weakness, cachexia. Marked hepatosplenomegaly Hyperpigmentation of skin

18. Laboratory Diagnosis Peripheral blood smear Amastigotes (Leishman–Donovan bodies): Small, round/oval Intracellular within macrophages. Show nucleus and rod-shaped kinetoplast (diagnostic). Bone marrow aspiration

19. Trypanosoma African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness) Clinical Features Chancre at bite site. Fever lymphadenopathy Hemolysis , splenomegaly. Parasite invades CNS → headache, sleep disturbance, confusion, coma, death.

20. Laboratory Diagnosis Peripheral Blood Smear T. brucei → long, slender amastigotes with undulating membrane and free flagellum. T. cruzi → C- or U-shaped trypo amastigotes.

21. THANK YOU