Ascariasis
- Distribution - typically 3-8 year olds
- Life cycle - direct
- Clinical - Malnutrition & absorption, obstruction - Loeffler’s syndrome
- Diagnosis - Eggs in stool microscopy or see worm
- Treatment - albendazole, prevents glucose uptake for worms
Schistosomiasis
Caused by helminths
- Distribution - in water in tropical areas
- Life cycle indirect - snails intermediate host penetrate skin
- Clinical - anameia, bladder tumours, Cirrhosis, swimmer’s itch, Katayama syndrome
- Diagnosis - serology, terminal stream microscopy or stool microscopy
- Treatment - praziquantel
Main parasitic cause of granulomatous chronic inflammation
Strongyloidiasis
Caused by a nematode (helminths)
- Distribution - tropical regions
- Life cycle - faeco-oral route both indirect and direct
- Clinical - abdo pain, eosiniophilia, skin changes, weight loss
- Diagnosis - stool microscopy
- Treatment - albendazole
Echinococcosis/Hyatid disease
- Distribution - global
- Life cycle - indirect via dogs and sheep
- Clinical - abdo pain, chest pain, coughing, SOB, waterlily appearance on CT scan. Rupture can lead to hypersensitivity reaction
- Diagnosis - serology
- Treatment - albendazole
Can form liver or lung cysts
Malaria
P. knowlesi, P. falciparum, P. ovale, P. vivax, P. malariae
- Distribution - sub-Saharan Africa/mosquito living
- Life cycle - indirect via female Anopheles
- Clinical - Anaemia, bleeding, DIC, confusion, Hypoglycaemia, fevers
- Diagnosis - blood film microsopy, PCR and serolgoy
- Treatment - Quinones,
Cryptosporidium
Common opportunistic pathogen in T cell deficiency
Trichomonas
- STI
- It infects the genitals and may also lead to infection in the: vagina. urethra
- Direct lifecycle
- Metronidazole treatment
Giardia
Similar to cryptosporidiasis but without without reservoir in farm animals
- Distribution - worldwide
- Life cycle - faecal-oral
- Clinical - abdo pain, bloating, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting 1-3 weeks
- Diagnosis - ELISA, stool sample microscopy
- Treatment - Metronidazole