Protozoan diseases in human beings

Topics included :- What are protozoans; list of diseases caused by them (Malaria, amoebiasis, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, balantidiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis, toxoplasmosis, pneumocytosis); drugs in treating protozoan diseases

1. PROTOZOAN DISEASES IN HUMAN BEINGS BY : S. DASH

2. WHAT ARE PROTOZOANS ?? Protozoa  (also  protozoan , plural protozoans) is an informal term for single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic, which feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues and debris.

3. LIST OF DISEASES CAUSED BY PROTOZOANS: MALARIA AMOEBIASIS LEISHMANIASIS Trypanosomiasis (aka African Sleeping Disease) BALANTIDIASIS GIARDIASIS Trichomoniasis TOXOPLASMOSIS PNEUMOCYTOSIS

4. MALARIA Four species of plasmodium protozoa that causes malaria in humans. Most common of them are P.falciparum and P.vivax . Symptoms occur in between 10-16 days after infection by mosquitos. Paroxysms frequently begin with bed-shaking chills followed by high-fevers, sweating , headache and muscular pain. Spleen becomes enlarged and tender, anaemia eventually develops.

5. Diagnosis Various test kits are available to detect antigens derived from malaria parasites, these are called rapid diagnostic tests offer a useful alterenative to microscopy. Control Elimination of the insect vector which transmits the disease.

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8. AMOEBIASIS Caused by Entamoeba histolytica. Transmitted from person to person in infected food and water , by flies and by direct contact. Clinical indications like abdominal discomfort, with slight diarrhoea alternating with constipation to severe diarrhoea with blood and mucus in the stools. Abscesses may be formed in the liver or the lungs or even sometimes in the brain. Diagnosis-microscopic examination of stool samples, sigmoidoscopy, blood test. Treatment-Iodoquinol , metronidazole etc.

9. AMOEBIASIS

10. LEISHMANIASIS Clinical forms of leishmaniasis are caused by infection with three different species : L.Donovani in visceral leishmaniasis, commonly called kala azar ; L.Tropica in oriental sore called cutaneous leishmaniasis and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and L.Basiliensis in the disease called espundia . Transmitted to humans by bites of sandflies . Symptoms include-irregular and recurrent fever, leukopenia, enlargement of spleen and liver. Lesions and ulcers develop. The lesions result in extensive scarring and mutilation. Diagnosis-finding of leishman-donovan bodies in stained smears from lesions or infected organs. Treatment-liposomal amphotericin B, miltefosin and sodium stibogluconate.

11. Trypanosomiasis (aka African Sleeping Disease) Infectious agent -Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. The tse-tse fly bite erupts into a red chancre sore, symptoms of first stage include-fever, swollen lymph glands, blood in urine, aching muscles and joints, headaches and irritability. [FIRST STAGE] In the second stage symptoms include-changes in personality, alteration of biological clock, confusion, slurred speech, seizures and difficulty in walking and talking. Diagnosis-recognition of flagellate on a blood smear, motile organisms may be visible in a buffy coat when blood sample is spun down. Treatment- stage-1:pentamidine or suramin (intramuscular or intravenous) Stage-2: melarsoprol or eflornithine(intravenously)

12. trypanosomiasis

13. BALANTIDIASIS A large intestine infection with Balantidium coli , which is a ciliated protozoan. Passes directly to humans by contact with pig faeces and indirectly by drinking contaminated water. It resides in the lumen of the intestine and obtains food by the ingestion of bacteria. Symptoms include-fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration and bloody diarrhoea. Diagnosis-stool testing(searching for trophozoites) Treatment-tetracycline, iodoquinol etc.

14. GIARDIASIS Infectious agent -Giardia lambia . Infection of small intestine, manifested by diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Transmitted by contaminated food and water, pet dogs and cats also contract giardia. Clinical signs include weight loss, anaemia and even poor protein absorption. Diagnosis-stool test, enteroscopy Treatment-metronidazole, tinidazole etc.

15. Trichomoniasis Caused by one-celled protozoan organism- Trichomonas vaginalis . Organism mainly found in vaginal secretions and infects both men and women. The organisms reproduce within the vagina or the urethra by longitudinal binary fission. Sexually transmitted disease is a type of vaginitis. Infection in males is usually asymptomatic except in cases seminal vesicles and prostrate. In women, a thin watery vaginal discharge is the most prominent symptom, usually accompanied by itching and burning. Diagnosed by-cell cultures, antigen test, tests that look for Trichomonas DNA. Treatment-metronidazole or tinidazole.

16. Trichomoniasis

17. Toxoplasmosis Infectious agent : Toxoplasma gondii , found in cat faeces and undercooked meat, especially venison, lamb and pork. Can be deadly or cause serious birth defects for a foetus if the mother is infected. Symptoms include a fever, swollen lymph nodes, a headache, muscle ache and sore throat. Diagnosis-Presence of antibodies Treatment-If severe, pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine is prescribed.

18. Toxoplasmosis

19. PNEUMOCYstis Infectious agent : Pneumocystis carinii Transmitted by formites or respiratory droplets. Usually seen in people with weak immune system. Symptoms include-fever, shortness of breath, weight loss, night sweats. Pneumothorax is a well known complication of Pneumocystis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by chest X-ray and an arterial oxygen level, Gallium-67 scans are also useful. Most commonly used medication is trimethoprim.

20. DRUGS IN TREATING PROTOZOAN DISEASES: SR. NO. DISEASE DRUGS 1. LEISHMANIASIS SODIUM STIBOGLUCONATE 2. TRYPANOSOMIASIS(early) PENTAMIDE ISETHIONATE SURAMIN 3. AMOEBIASIS METRONIDAZOLE + IODOQUINOL 4. FALCIPARUM MALARIA CHLOROQUINONE PHOSPHATE + PRIMAQUINE PHOSPHATE 5. CHLORQUINE RESISTANT MALARIA QUININE SULFATE+PYRIMETHAMINE + SULFADIAZINE

21. REFERENCES Microbiology by Michael.J.Pelczar , Jr.E.C.S . Chan, Noel.R . Kreig Textbook of microbiology by Ananthanarayan and Paniker Microbiology by Presscott . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

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