College of Medical and Biological Sciences

University of the Immaculate Conception

Father Selga Street, Davao City

CLINICAL PARASITOLOGY
(LECTURE)

Name: OBENZA, Adonah Mica N.

Date: December 20, 2024

Section: MLS-2F

TLA 1

Introduction to Medical Parasitology and Intestinal Amoebae

General instructions:

I. Kindly answer the following questions based on your research and reading
from our reference books and publications.
II. In answering, please utilize this document and typewrite your answers.
III. Do not hesitate to adjust the number of pages according to how you
substantiate your answers.
IV. On the last page, please list down your references following the
APA style (7th edition)
V. Do not forget to “turn in” in our google classroom once you furnish a
hardcopy of your answers.

Scoring system:
5 points = if the student completely answered the item.
3 points = if the student answered the item but needs to improve.
0 = if the student did not answer the item.
1. Provide a diagram and label an example of:

a. Direct life cycle (5pts)

b. Indirect life cycle (5pts)

 2. What are the differences between a direct and indirect life cycle?

A direct life cycle involves only a single host in which the parasite
completes its growth and reproduces. Examples of this include Ascaris
lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis. In a direct cycle, the transmission of
the parasite is often enhanced by environmental contamination or direct
interactions between hosts, making the process simpler and quicker. Conversely,
an indirect life cycle necessitates multiple hosts, including a definitive host where
sexual reproduction takes place and one or more intermediate hosts for
development. Instances of indirect cycles include Plasmodium spp. (malaria) and
Schistosoma spp. This cycle is more intricate but frequently allows the parasite to
take advantage of various ecological niches and hosts, enhancing its chances of
survival.

3. Define the different types of parasites, provide three examples of each

type, and why these parasites are considered as such.
a. Ectoparasite (5pts)
Ectoparasites live on the surface of the host, often feeding on skin, blood, or secretions.
Examples include:

➢ Pediculus humanus (head lice): Lives on the scalp, feeding on blood. They
cause itching and irritation, spreading through close contact.
➢ Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies mite): Burrows into the skin, causing severe itching
and rash.
➢ Cimex lectularius (bed bugs): Feeds on host blood while on the skin, causing
itchy welts and skin irritation.

b. Endoparasite (5pts)

Endoparasites live within the host's body, often in organs or tissues. Examples include:
 ➢ Ascaris lumbricoides: Lives in the intestines, causing malnutrition and
obstruction.
➢ Entamoeba histolytica: Resides in the colon, leading to amoebic dysentery and
ulcers.
➢ Taenia solium (pork tapeworm): Lives in the intestines, causing cysticercosis if
larvae invade tissues.

c. Obligate parasite (5pts)

Obligate parasites cannot survive without a host. Examples include:

➢ Plasmodium spp.: Requires human and mosquito hosts for its life cycle.
➢ Toxoplasma gondii: Needs cats as definitive hosts to reproduce sexually.
➢ Leishmania spp.: Depends on sandflies for transmission to humans or animals.

These parasites have adapted to their hosts, losing the ability to survive independently.

d. Facultative parasite (5pts)

Facultative parasites can live both freely and parasitically. Examples include:

➢ Naegleria fowleri: Normally free-living in water but can infect the brain, causing
fatal amoebic meningoencephalitis.
➢ Strongyloides stercoralis: Can live in soil as free-living nematodes or parasitize
humans.
➢ Acanthamoeba spp.: Free-living but can cause severe infections in the eyes or
brain when introduced.

These parasites exhibit dual survival strategies, making them unique.

e. Accidental parasite (5pts)

Accidental parasites infect hosts that are not their normal hosts. Examples include:

➢ Echinococcus granulosus: Causes hydatid cysts in humans, its accidental

host.
➢ Toxocara canis: Infects humans accidentally, causing visceral larva migrans.
➢ Diphyllobothrium latum: Infects humans consuming raw fish, though its usual
hosts are fish-eating mammals.

4. Define the different types of hosts, provide three examples of each type,
and why these hosts are considered as such.
a. Definitive host (5pts)
The host where sexual reproduction of the parasite occurs. Examples:

➢ Humans for Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), where adult worms reproduce in
the intestines.
➢ Mosquitoes for Plasmodium spp. (malaria), where gametocytes develop into
sporozoites.
➢ Cats for Toxoplasma gondii, enabling sexual reproduction of the parasite.

b. Intermediate host (5pts)

The host where the parasite undergoes development but no sexual reproduction.
Examples:

➢ Humans for Plasmodium spp. (malaria), where the parasite undergoes

asexual replication.
➢ Snails for Schistosoma spp., which support larval development.
➢ Fish for Diphyllobothrium latum, carrying larval stages infective to mammals.

c. Reservoir host (5pts)

Hosts that harbor parasites and act as sources of infection for others. Examples:

➢ Rodents for Leishmania spp., maintaining the parasite population.

➢ Dogs for Echinococcus granulosus, spreading hydatid cysts.
➢ Wild birds for West Nile virus, serving as carriers.

d. Accidental host (5pts)

Hosts not normally infected by the parasite but can become infected. Examples:

➢ Humans for Toxocara canis, leading to severe larva migrans.

➢ Humans for Echinococcus granulosus, causing hydatid disease.
➢ Humans for Baylisascaris procyonis, resulting in neurological disease.
➢
e. Paratenic host (5pts)

Hosts where the parasite does not develop but is carried to the next host. Examples:

➢ Rodents for Toxocara canis, providing a link to definitive hosts like dogs.
➢ Birds for Diphyllobothrium latum, aiding in parasite dispersal.
➢ Frogs for Spirometra spp., facilitating transmission.

5. Define the different types of vectors, provide three examples of each type,
and why these vectors are considered as such.

a. Biological vector (5pts)

Vectors in which the parasite develops or multiplies. Examples:

 ➢ Anopheles mosquitoes for Plasmodium spp. (malaria), where sexual
reproduction occurs.
➢ Tsetse flies for Trypanosoma brucei (sleeping sickness), supporting
developmental stages.
➢ Sandflies for Leishmania spp., enabling parasite multiplication.

b. Mechanical (5pts)
Vectors that carry the parasite without development. Examples:

➢ Houseflies transferring Entamoeba histolytica cysts through contaminated

surfaces.
➢ Cockroaches spreading Ascaris lumbricoides eggs mechanically.
➢ Ticks carrying Rickettsia spp. bacteria without alteration.

6. What are the differences between a direct and indirect life cycle?

Aspect Direct Life Cycle Indirect Life Cycle

Definition Parasite completes its life cycle Parasite requires one or more
within a single host. intermediate hosts to complete its
life cycle.
Host Only one host is needed. Involves a definitive host and at
Involvement least one intermediate host.
Examples of Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris Plasmodium spp., Schistosoma
Parasites lumbricoides. spp., Taenia solium.
Complexity Simple life cycle, making Complex life cycle, involving
transmission easier. multiple hosts and stages.
Transmission Often through direct contact, Transmission occurs through
ingestion of eggs, or intermediate hosts or vectors
environmental contamination. (e.g., mosquitoes or snails).
Adaptation Adapted to rely on a single host Exploits multiple ecological niches
for survival and reproduction. and host species to enhance
survival and dispersal.
Time for Relatively shorter, as fewer Longer, as multiple hosts and
Completion stages are involved. environmental conditions are
necessary.
Ecological Limited to specific host Broader, utilizing various hosts
Niche environments. and habitats to sustain the
parasite's development.
Impact on Easier to control with basic More difficult to control due to
Control hygiene and sanitation multiple transmission routes and
measures. host involvement.

7. Establish in paragraph form the life cycle of Entamoeba histolytica and

indicate what points can be targeted for intervention.

The life cycle of Entamoeba histolytica starts with the consumption of cysts found
in contaminated food or water. Once in the intestine, these cysts develop into
trophozoites that invade the intestinal lining, leading to ulcers and dysentery.
Trophozoites reproduce, and some create cysts that are expelled in feces,
thereby perpetuating the cycle. Key intervention points include enhancing
sanitation to prevent cyst contamination, encouraging safe practices for food and
water, and providing prompt treatment for infected individuals to mitigate
transmission. Public health initiatives aimed at improving hygiene and ensuring
access to clean water are essential strategies.
 8. Provide four factors that determine the presence of amoebiasis and their
influence on distribution in a table below.
Possible Factors Influence on presence or
distribution
Poor sanitation Increases cyst contamination in
water and food sources.

Lack of clean water Facilitates the spread of cysts

through drinking and washing.

Overcrowding Enhances person-to-person

transmission.

Malnutrition Weakens immunity, making

individuals more susceptible.

9. In a table, provide the morphological characteristics of Entamoeba

species:
a. Ent. histolytica
b. Ent. coli
c. Ent. polecki
d. End. nana
e. I. butschlii
f. D. fragilis

Species Morphological Characteristics

Entamoeba Small central karyosome; fine peripheral chromatin;
histolytica trophozoites ingest RBCs.
Entamoeba coli Large eccentric karyosome; coarse chromatin; mature cysts
with 8 nuclei.
Entamoeba Single nucleus with large karyosome; cysts with 1-2 nuclei.
polecki
Endolimax nana Large blot-like karyosome; no peripheral chromatin; oval cysts.
Iodamoeba Large karyosome; glycogen-filled cysts visible under iodine
butschlii stain.
Dientamoeba Two nuclei; no cyst stage; trophozoites have fragmented
fragilis karyosomes.

10. Explain the E. histolytica complex and describe how can we differentiate it
from one another and from E. hartmanni.

The Entamoeba histolytica complex consists of E. histolytica (which is pathogenic), E.

dispar (which is non-pathogenic), and E. moshkovskii (also non-pathogenic but linked to
diarrhea in certain instances). Although these species appear morphologically similar,
they can be distinguished using molecular methods such as PCR or isoenzyme
analysis. E. histolytica is known to be pathogenic and often consumes red blood cells,
while both E. dispar and E. moshkovskii do not display this activity. E. hartmanni is a
smaller, non-pathogenic species that can be identified by the reduced size of its
trophozoites and cysts. Accurate identification is crucial for ensuring the correct
diagnosis and treatment, thereby minimizing unnecessary medical interventions.

REFERENCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Amebiasis - Biology.
Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov

Garcia, L. S. (2016). Diagnostic Medical Parasitology (6th ed.). ASM Press.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2015). Amoebiasis. Retrieved from

https://www.who.int
Stauffer, W., & Ravdin, J. I. (2018). Entamoeba histolytica: An update. Current Opinion
in Infectious Diseases, 21(5), 489–94.

Petri, W. A., & Singh, U. (2015). Diagnosis and management of amebiasis. Clinical
Infectious Diseases, 29(5), 1117–25.