Question

Pick 3 different subphylla of protozoan parasites and discuss the clinical syndrome associated with a representative genus of each

Answer 1

Answer with discussion and explanation :

Protozoa are members of kingdom Protista under five kingdom classification given by Whittaker. They are unicellular eukaryotes.

3 subphylla of protozoa along with example genus are given below :

1) Sporozoa - They ate endoparasites. They lack locomotory organs. Example - Plasmodium.

2) Rhizopoda - They have pseudopodia. Example - Entaemoeba.

3) Zoomastigophora - They have flagella. Example - Trypanosoma.

Symptom/ clinical syndrome by respective genus:

1) Plasmodium : It is acquired by mosquito bite. There are four species : Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae.They cause malaria characterised by paroxysms of fever and chills. In severe cases of malaria patient may develop cerebral malaria (altered sensorium), jaundice, hemolysis and renal failure.

2) Entaemoeba histolytica - It is acquired by faeco-oral route and invades intestinal mucosa to cause diarrhoea and dysentery.

3) Trypanosoma - There are two common species causing disease in humans - A) Trypanosoma brucei B) Trypanosoma cruzi.

A) Trypanosoma brucei - It is acquired by bite of tsetse fly. It causes fever, headache, joint pain, confusion, altered coordination and sensorium. The disease is commonly termed as sleeping sickness and mainly found in Africa.

B) Trypanosoma cruzi - It is acquired through kissing bugs (Triatominae). It causes fever, enlarged lymph nodes, headache and swelling at bite sites. Later patient may develop heart failure, dilation of esophagus and colon. The disease is known as American trypanosomiasis.