Parasitic Protozoa And
Human Diseases
What is parasite?
A parasite ia an organism that lives in another organism,
called the host and often harms it.
It is dependent on its host for survival.
It has to be in the host to live, grow and multiply.
A parasite cannot live independently.
What are protozoans?
A protozoa is a term for
single—celled eukeryotes ,
either free living or parasitic
which need an organic
matter such as other
microorganisms or organic
tissues and debris.
Such as amoeba,
flagellates and sporozoa.
Diseases caused by Protozoans
Amoebiasis
Giardiasis
Trichomoniasis
Leishmaniasis
Malaria
Toxoplasmosis
Amoeba • Amoebiasis
• Giardiasis
Flagellates • Trichomoniasis
• Leishmaniasis
• Malaria
Sporozoa
• Toxoplasmosis
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 diarrhea
alternating with constipation to severe diarrhea with blood and mucus in
the stool.
Abscess may be formed in the liver or lungs or even sometimes in the
brain.
Diagnosis of stool samples , blood test.
Treatment ; Iodoquinol , metronidazole etc.
Giardiasis
Infectious agent – Giardia lambia.
Infection of small intestine , manifested by diarrhea 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.
Trichomoniasis
Caused by – Trichomonas vaginalis. Organism mainly found in vaginal
secretions and infects both men and women.
The organism reproduce within the vagina or the urethra by binary
fission.
Sexually transmitted disease is a type of vaginitis.
In a women , a thin watery vaginal discharge is the most prominent
symptom, usually accompanied by itching and burning.
Diagnosed by antigen test , test that look for trichomonas DNA.
Treatment – metronidazole or tinidazole.
Leishmaniasis
Caused by Leishmania.
Transmitted to humans by bites of sand flies.
Symptoms include irregular fever , ulcer.
Treatment – amphotericin B , sodium stibogluconate.
Leishmaniasis
Cutaneaous Visceral Mucocutaneous
Leishmaniasis Leishmaniasis Leishmaniasis
• Cutaneous ulcers • Kala Azar • Effect mucous
• Breathing difficulty • Anaemia membranes
• Nose bleeds • Enlargement of • Sores
• Difficulty in spleen and liver
swallowing
Malaria
Caused by sporozoan plasmodium.
Four species of plasmodium that are
1. P.vivax
2. P.falciparum
3. P.ovale
4. P.malariae
Symptoms- bed shaking chills followed by high fever , sweating ,
headache, muscular pain.
Spleen becomes enlarged and tender , anaemia
eventually developes.
Various test kits are available to detect antigens
derived from malaria parasites, they are called rapid
diagnostic test .
Toxoplasmosis
Infectious agent : Toxoplasma gondii , found in cat faeces and
undercooked meat , lamb , pork.
Cause serious birth defects if the mother is defected.
Symptoms include fever , swollen lymph nodes , headache ,
muscle ache , sore throat.
Treatment – sulfadiazine.
Protozoa Infective stage Diagnostic stage
Amoeba Cyst Cyst , trophozite
Gardia Lamblia Cyst Cyst , trophozite
Trichomonous Trophozite Trophozite
Leishmania Promostigate ( when it Amestigate (when it lost
has flagella) flagella)
Malaria Sporozite Erythrocyte cycle
Thank you
