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Overview of the Parasites
VCOM 2014
35
Microbiology
Graduate
09/22/2010

Additional Microbiology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Parasitism
Definition

One member, the parasite, lives in or on another oragnism, the hosts, at the expense of that organism

 

The host may or may not be killed

Term
Symbiosis
Definition

"living together"

Any plant, animal, protist or helminth that is intimately associated with another organism of a different species; each member is termed a symbiont

 

A fetus is not a parasite or symbiont b/c they are the same species

Term
Types of Symbiosis
Definition

Phoresis

Commensalism

Mutualism

Predation

Parasitism

Term
Phoresis
Definition

-means traveling together

A smaller organism, termed the phoront, is carried mechanically by the host.

 

ex/ bacteria, fungus, mites or leech carried on your skin

Term
Commensalism
Definition

-when one symbiont, the commensal, benefits and the other animal is neither helped nor harmed

 

True commensalism difficult to find, and my not even actually exist. Close inspections usually reveal either a mutualistic or parasitic association

Term
Mutualism
Definition

Each member, a mutualist, depends upon the other; obligatory  or facultative.

 

Ex/ flagellates produce cellulase in gut of termites

Term
Predation
Definition

one member, the predator, benefits and a smaller organism, the prey, is harmed; usually eaten

 

The preditor/prey relationship is not usually considered a type of symiosis, but it technically falls under the definition

Term
Parasitology
Definition

the study of the relationship between a parasite and its host

 

Parasitic relationships may be temporary, facultative or obligatory

Term
Basic types of Parasitism
Definition

Ectoparasite: live on the surgface of the host. Animals are infested not infected. EX/ ticks, lice, fleas

 

Endoparasite: live within the host. Animals are infected.

Ex/ roundworms and tapeworms in gut

 

Hyperparasite: parasite within a parasite

Term
Vectors
Definition

-Transmits parasites from host to host

Biological Vector: are organisms which transmit parasites (mosquitoes infected with malaria)

 

Mechanical Vector: nonliving transmitters of parasite stages (bed clothing containing lice or spoon containing pinworm)

- same thing as vehicle

Term
Definitive Host
Definition
host in which parasite reaches sexual maturity and reproduces
Term
Intermediate Host
Definition

involved with some development but the parasite does not reach sexual maturity; often asexual stages or larval stages

 

EX/ Plasmodium falciparum which causes Malaria undergoes its sexual stages inteh mosquito, making humas the intermediate host.

Term
Paratenic (Transport) Host
Definition
- host where the parasite continues to live and is infective to next host but no parasite development takes place.
Term
Reservoir Host
Definition

Non-human animals that serve as sources of infection to humans

 

Ex/ man acquires the infection from eating raw fish containing parasites.

Term
High Reproductive Potential
Definition

1. Multiple fission: in protozoa (Eimeria oocyst)

2. Hermaphrodism: of trematodes

3. Parthenogenesis: in Strongylodies spp.

4. Strobilation: of tapeworms high ova output

5. High ova/larval output: of many worms

Term
Unique morphological or physiological specializations of Parasites
Definition

1. loss of digestive tract of tapeworms

2. loss of wings of fleas and lice

3. loss of many sensory structures of nematodes

4. development of tegument

5. development of special holdfast organs, ex/ hooks

6. production of anti-coagulants in leeches

Term
Unique features of Parasites
Definition

1. Oftenspecial site specificity

2. Usually, but not always, non-lethal to host

3. Generally more numerous than hosts

4. Generally much smaller than host

(if larger, then termed a predator)

5. Often have evolved methods of evading host immune system

Term
How do parasites evade the Host's Immune System
Definition

1. Antigenic variation (Trypanosoma)

2. Tough tegument (acanthocephalans)

3. Intracellular habitat (coccidia)

4. Antigen acquisition/mimicry (shistosomes)

5. Suppression eosinophil or neutrophil migration to the site of the parasite (Onchocerca sp.)

6. Encystment (Trematode metacercarial cysts)

7. Ability to cleave antibodies or consume complement

8. Trigger immune response

Term

Pathology Due to Parasite Infection is Variable:

 

Physical Trauma

Definition

1. migration of nematodes through tissues

2. ulceration of intestinal wall and liver by cysteine proteases of Entamoeba histolytica

3. displacement of tissue or structures by hydatids

4. protease digestion of epithelial cells by Trichomonas vaginalis

5. ulceration due to insertion of hooks, spines into intestinal wall

Term

Pathology Due to Parasite Infection is Variable:

 

Nutritional Diversion

Definition

1. giardiasis results in diarrhea

2. malabsorption (Diphyllobothrium absorbts vit B12)

Term

Pathoogy Due to Parasite Infection is Variable:

 

Toxins/Excretory products/ Immune complexes

Definition

1. African trypanosomes slough antigen/Ab complexes that are absorbed by RBC's; complement is activated

2. Massive RBC lysis (excretory products of some trematodes and cestodes causing anaphylaxis)

3. Fibrosis and inflammation around schistosome eggs (granulomas, fibrosis, edema against adult filarids)

4. Blood loss (hookworms and anaemia)

Term
Typical Ways Parasites are Transmitted
Definition

1. Ingestion (from food, water or inhalation)

 

2. Vectors

 

3. Direct Penetration (of skin from environment)

Term
Why do we Identify Parasites?
Definition

1. Treatment

2. Understanding epidemiology

3. Implementation of control measures

4. Fundamental research

Term
Traditional Methods for Diagnosing Parasites and Parasitic Infections
Definition

1. Fecal Specimen Collection (Direct, wet, concentration, floatation, stained slide)

2. Colleciton of Material other than fecal (Perianal specimens, Sigmoidoscopic material, Duodenal aspirates, Liver abscess aspirates, sputum, urine urogenital)

3. Blood films/smears

Term
Problems with the traditional ways of diagnosis
Definition

1. Some parasites morphologically indistinguishable

 

2. Parasites hidden in host tissue

 

3. Low sensitivity

Term
Problems and Solutions for Lumbar puncture for African Sleeping Sickness
Definition

Problem: current parasitological diagnostic techniques not satisfactory

 

Solution: Need trained staff, equipment

Term
3 Major Methods of Molecular Testing
Definition

1. Biochemical (first generation)

- Enzyme patterns

 

2. Immunological (antibodies)

 

3. Nucleic acid (DNA)

Term

Enzyme Patterns:

 

Isoenzymes

Definition

Perform same function BUT different movements on gels

- enzymes separated by size

 

Genetically controlled: parasites with different gel patterns genetically distinct

Used for analysis of Chagas' disease

Term

Antibody based diagnosis

 

Advantages

Definition

1. Rapid easy field-based test

 

2. Both individual & mass population screening

 

3. Ig subclasses- to improve specificity & sensitivity

Term

Antibody Based Diagnosis

 

Disadvantages

Definition

1. Cannot distinguish past/ present infections

 

2. Cannot distinguish morphologically similar parasites

 

3. Expensive to develop- significant research prior to commercialization

Term

Example of Antibody Based Molecular Diagnosis

 

Definition

African Sleeping Sickness

Anti-trypanonosomal IgM detected by simple/rapid CATT

(Card Agglutinatino Test for Trypanosomiasis)

Drop of blood -->

Mixed with fixed parasites on plastic card --->

Blue granular deposits = infection --->

25 US cents per test

Kits for Chagas' & malaria

Westerns for cestodes

 

 

                 

Term
DNA based Molecular Diagnosis
Definition

DNA probes

 

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Term
PCR in Parasite Diagnosis
Definition

Amplifies target sequence and increases sensitivity

1. Ribosomal DNA/RNA

highly sensitive, No good for closely related species

2. Specific sequences of genomic DNA

Highly specific for single species- not sensitive

3. Random primer amplification (RADP) PCR

Very highly sensitive - Not specific

Term

Nucleic Acid Based Molecular Diagnosis

 

Advantages

Definition

1. Genomic DNA constant - parasite & hosts unique DNA sequences

2. Very sensitive- small biopsy

3. Probes can be designed with flexibility

 

Specific - detect single parasite species

Less Specific - detect group of parasites

Term

Nucleic Acid Based Diagnosis

 

Disadvantages

Definition

1. Expensive - especially PCR

2. Radioactivity needed: newer non-radioactive probes

3. PCR can fail - Contamination & false positives

4. DNA probes do not distinguish between dead and living parasites

Chagas' Disease - PCR based kit in trials in Brazil. Aims to replace Xeno-test

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