HE S032 (Microbiology and Parasitology)

STUDENT ACTIVITY SHEET BS NURSING / SECOND YEAR

Session # 15

LESSON TITLE: Parasitic Infections of Humans Materials:

Book, pen, notebook, and paper

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the lesson, the nursing student can:

1. Differentiate between the following: ectoparasites versus Reference: endoparasites;
definitive hosts versus intermediate hosts;
Engelkirk, P., & Engelkirk, J. (2015). Burton's
facultative parasites versus obligate parasites; and th
Microbiology for the Health and Sciences. 10
mechanical vectors versus biologic vectors; ed., Philadelphia: Lipincott Williams & Wilkins 2. Classify a particular
parasitic infection as a protozoal or helminth disease;
3. Categorize various parasitic infections by organ body
system (e.g., respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract,
circulatory system): and,
4. Correlate a particular parasitic infection with its major
characteristics, causative agent, reservoir(s), and
mode(s) of transmission.

Daily Productivity Tip:

Choose your BEST TIME to study. Try waking u p at 3:00 AM tomorrow and recall what you have learned
today.
LESSON PREVIEW / REVIEW (5 minutes)
Instruction: Complete the table below.

PCP Histoplasmosis Thrush

Pathogens: Pneumocystis jirovecii Histoplasma Candida yeast
Reservoirs and Mode of From person to person Inhaling the spore stage of Through vaginal sex, anal
Transmission through the air the fungus sex, or oral sex

Great! Let us begin with today’s session.

MAIN LESSON (50 minutes)

TERMS TO LOOK UP:
Although a number of parasites can cause serious and life threatening
disease, particularly in the compromised patient, many organisms reach Parasitism
Ectoparasites
a ―status quo‖ with the host and do no damage. Disease may not be Endoparasites
Facultative parasites
the ultimate outcome of infection. Depending on the parasite, one or
Obligate parasites
multiple body sites may be infected, resulting in no or few symptoms or, Reservoir host
at the other extreme, death. Immediate host
Definitive host
Accidental host
Zoonosis
Mechanical vectors
Biological vectors
This document and the information thereon is the property of PHINMA
Education (Department of Medical Technology) 1 of 8
 `
Parasitology is a branch of microbiology that deals with the study of parasites. This includes parasitic
protozoa, helminths, and arthropods. In this session, we will mainly focus on the significant parasitic
protozoa.

Protozoa
 Most are unicellular but some are multicellular. Protozoa are classified taxonomically by their mode of locomotion.
Pseudopodia (amoebas), flagella (flagellates), cilia (ciliates), and some are nonmotile.
 Life cycle of protozoan: dormant stage – cyst, oocysts, spore, motile and dividing stage – trophozoite.

Protozoal Infections of the Skin

Parasitic Infection Causative agent Reservoir and Mode of

Transmission
Leishmaniasis Caused by a flagellated protozoa in Reservoir: infected humans,
the genus Leishmania: domestic dogs, wild animals
Cutaneous (Oriental sore) MOT: zoonosis and is usually
Mucocutaneous (Mucosal, Espundia, L. tropica : Cutaneous Leishmaniasis transmitted via the bite of an
Brazilienses) L. brazilienses : Mucocutaneous infected sand fly.
Visceral (Kala-Azar) Leishmaniasis
L. donovani : Visceral Leishmaniasis Transmission by blood transfusion
and person-to-person contact have
Nonmotile stage: Amastigote been reported.
Motile stage: Promastigote

Protozoal Infections of the Eye

Parasitic Infection Causative agent Reservoir and Mode of

Transmission
Amoebic conjunctivitis and Acanthamoeba spp. – either a MOT: The amoebas enter the
keratoconjunctivitis free-living protozoa or a parasitic eye from amoeba-contaminated
existence. waters.
Can lead to loss of vision.
Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasma gondii – an MOT: Ingestion of undercooked
intracellular sprozoan. meat containing cyst form of the
parasite or oocyst shed in the
feces of infected cats.

Protozoal Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Parasitic Infection Causative agent Reservoir and Mode of

Transmission
Amoebiasis (Amoebic dysentery) Entamoeba histolytica MOT: Ingestion of fecally
contaminated water or food
Dormant and infective stage: cyst containing cysts.
Motile and dividing stage: trophozoite
Balantidiasis Balantidium coli – the only ciliate that Reservoir: pigs, anything
cause disease to humans contaminated with pig feces MOT:
Ingestion of fecally contaminated
food and water contaning cysts of
B.coli from reservoir including pigs.
Cryptosporidiosis Cryptosporidium parvum – a coccidial Reservoir: humans, cattle, domestic

This document and the information thereon is the property of PHINMA

Education (Department of Medical Technology) 2 of 8
 protozoan. animals
MOT: Fecal– oral transmission; from
person to person, from animal to
person, or via ingestion of
contaminated water or food.

Cyclosporiasis Cyclospora cayetanensis – a coccidial Reservoir: fecally contaminated

protozoan. water
MOT: primarily waterborne, but
outbreaks have involved
contaminated raspberries, basil, and
lettuce.

Giardiasis Giardia lamblia – a flagellated Reservoir: infected man, beaver,

protozoan. wild, and domestic animals.
Patients experienced steatorrhea in MOT: Fecal-oral route
stool, and flatus or rotten egg odor
gas produced.

Protozoal Infections of the Genitourinary Tract

Parasitic Infection Causative agent Reservoir and Mode of

Transmission
Trichomoniasis Trichomonas vaginalis – a Reservoir: infected humans
flagellate MOT: direct contact with vaginal and
A sexually transmitted disease urethral discharges of infected people
affecting both men and women. this organism exists only in the fragile during sexual intercourse.
trophozoite stage (there is no cyst
stage), it cannot survive very long
outside the human body.

Protozoal Infections of the Circulatory System

Parasitic Infection Causative agent Reservoir and Mode of

Transmission
Trypanosomiasis Caused by hemoflagellates: Reservoir: Infected humans (T.
brucei ssp. gambiense), and wild
African Sleeping Sickness animals and domestic cattle (T. brucei
West African Sleeping Sickness T. brucie ssp. gambiense ssp. rhodesiense).
East African Sleeping Sickness T. brucie ssp. rhodesiense MOT: Tsetse flies become infected
when they ingest blood that contains
the trypanosomes. Humans become
infected when mature trypanosomes
(trypomastigotes) are injected into the
bloodstream as the infected tsetse
flies take blood meals. Reservoir:
domestic and wild animals (e.g. dogs,
American Sleeping Sickness T. cruzi cats, rodents) MOT: Reduviid bugs
Chagas’ Disease become infected
when they ingest blood with
trypanosomes. Feces of reduviid
bugs are rubbed into bite wound or
eye. In addition, it can be transmitted
through blood transfusion and organ
transplantion.
Babesiosis Babesia microti, Babesia spp. – Reservoir: rodents

This document and the information thereon is the property of PHINMA

Education (Department of Medical Technology) 2 of 8
 an intraerythrocytic sporozoan. MOT: tick bite and rarely by blood
transfusion.
Malaria Caused by an intraerythrocytic Reservoir: Infected humans and
sporozoan. mosquitoes
Benign Tertian Plasmodium vivax (most common MOT: Most human infections occur as
in the Philippines) a result of injection of sporozoites into
Ovale Fever Plasmodium ovale the bloodstream by an infected
Blackwater Fever Plasmodium falciparum (the deadliest) female Anopheles mosquito while
Plasmodium malariae taking a blood meal. Infection may
Quartan Malaria
also occur as a result of blood
Drug-resistant strains of P. vivax and transfusion or the use of
P. falciparum are common bloodcontaminated needles and
syringes.

Protozoal Infections of the Central Nervous System

Parasitic Infection Causative agent Reservoir and Mode of

Transmission
Primary Amoebic Naegleria fowleri – an Reservoir: water and soil
Meningoencephalitis (PAM) amoeboflagellate MOT: The amoebas usually enter the
nasal passages of a person diving
and/or swimming in ameba-
contaminated water, such as ponds,
lakes, ―the old swimming hole,‖
thermal springs, hot tubs, spas, and
public swimming pools. After the
amoebas colonize the nasal tissues,
they invade the brain and meninges
by traveling along the olfactory
nerves.

Helminths

Helminths (parasitic worms) are divided into roundworms (nematodes) and flatworms. Flatworms are further divided into
tapeworms (cestodes) and flukes (trematodes). The stages of the typical helminth life cycle are the egg, the larva, and the
adult worm. Helminth infections are usually diagnosed by observing (a) whole worms or segments of worms in clinical
specimens—most often, fecal specimens, or (b) larvae or eggs in stained or unstained clinical specimens.

This document and the information thereon is the property of PHINMA

Education (Department of Medical Technology) 2 of 8
 If I am beyond stool s, look for me in:

BLOOD – Microfilariae (larvae) except Onchocerca (skin)

SPUTUM – Paragonimus westermani (eggs )
URINE – Enterobius vermicularis ( eggs )
Schistosoma haematobium (eggs )
MUSCLES – Trichinella spiralis ( larvae )
BILE FLUID – Echinococcus granulosus ( larvae )

Think and Learn: Why is it important to know the life cycleof the parasites?

TAKE A QUICK BREAK. BREATHE SLOWLY. WRITE FREELY.

This document and the information thereon is the property of PHINMA

Education (Department of Medical Technology) 2 of 8
 CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING (30 minutes)
You will answer and rationalize this by yourself. This will be recorded as your quiz. One (1) point will be given to correct
answer and another one (1) point for the correct ratio. Superimpositions or erasures in you answer/ratio is not allowed.
You are given 30 minutes for this activity (20 points):

1. Humans develop malaria after the injection of Plasmodium into the bloodstream by an infected
female Anopheles mosquito when she takes a blood meal.
a. male and female gametocytes
b. schizonts
c. sporozoites
d. trophozoites
ANSWER: C
RATIO: Humans develop malaria after the injection of Plasmodium sporozoites to the bloodstream by an infected female
Anopheles mosquito when she takes a blood meal.

2. What is the deadliest malarial plasmodium?

a. P. malariae
b. P. falciparum
c. P. vivax
d. P. ovale
ANSWER: B
RATIO: Plasmodium falciparum is the most deadly of the human malaria parasites.

3. Which of the following protozoal diseases is not transmitted via an arthropod vector?
a. African trypanosomiasis
b. American trypanosomiasis
c. babesiosis
d. giardiasis
ANSWER: D
RATIO: The tiny parasite Giardia duodenalis is the source of the diarrheal illness giardiasis
4. Which of the following protozoal diseases is least likely to be transmitted via blood transfusion?
a. American trypanosomiasis
b. babesiosis
c. malaria
d. trichomoniasis
ANSWER: D
RATIO: A parasite causes trichomoniasis, a prevalent sexually transmitted disease.

5. Which of the following protozoal diseases is least likely to be transmitted via an infected food handler who fails to wash
his or her hands after using the bathroom?
a. amebiasis
b. cryptosporidiosis
c. giardiasis
d. toxoplasmosis
ANSWER: D
RATIO: Toxoplasma gondii parasite, one of the world's most common parasites. Infection usually occurs by eating
undercooked contaminated meat, exposure from infected cat feces, or mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy

This document and the information thereon is the property of PHINMA

Education (Department of Medical Technology) 2 of 8
 6. You are visiting a friend whose parents raise pigs. Which of the following diseases are you most likely to acquire by
drinking well water at their farm?
a. amebiasis
b. balantidiasis
c. cryptosporidiosis
d. giardiasis
ANSWER: B
RATIO: Balantidiasis is a rare intestinal infection caused by the bacteria Balantidium coli, a single-celled parasite that
commonly infects pigs but can potentially infect humans

7. You are working on a cattle ranch. Which of the following diseases are you most apt to acquire as you perform your
duties at the ranch?
a. amebiasis
b. balantidiasis
c. cryptosporidiosis
d. giardiasis
ANSWER: C
RATIO: Diarrhea is a symptom of the infection cryptosporidiosis.

8. Which of the following protozoal diseases are you most likely to acquire by eating a rare hamburger?
a. amebiasis
b. balantidiasis
c. giardiasis
d. toxoplasmosis
ANSWER: D
RATIO: Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

9. Which of the following associations is incorrect?

a. African trypanosomiasis - tsetse fly
b. amebiasis - fecally contaminated water
c. Chagas’ disease - mosquito
d. toxoplasmosis - cats
ANSWER: C
RATIO: Option C is incorrect associations.

10. Which of the following is caused by an ameboflagellate named N. fowleri?

a. African trypanosomiasis
b. giardiasis
c. malaria
d. PAM
ANSWER: D
RATIO: Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is caused by an infection with the tiny amoeba Naegleria fowleri, also
known as the "brain-eating amoeba."

RATIONALIZATION ACTIVITY (THIS WILL BE DONE DURING THE FACE TO FACE INTERACTION)
The instructor will now rationalize the answers to the students. You can now ask questions and debate among yourselves.
Write the correct answer and correct/additional ratio in the space provided.

1. ANSWER:

This document and the information thereon is the property of PHINMA

Education (Department of Medical Technology) 2 of 8
 RATIO:

2. ANSWER:
RATIO:

3. ANSWER:
RATIO:

4. ANSWER:
RATIO:

5. ANSWER:
RATIO:
__

6. ANSWER:
RATIO:

7. ANSWER:
RATIO:

8. ANSWER:
RATIO:

9. ANSWER:
RATIO:

10. ANSWER:
RATIO:
__

This document and the information thereon is the property of PHINMA

Education (Department of Medical Technology) 2 of 8
LESSON WRAP-UP (5 minutes)

You will now mark (encircle) the session you have finished today in the tracker below. This is simply a visual to help you
track how much work you have accomplished and how much work there is left to do.

You are done with the session! Let’s track your progress.

Exit Ticket: One-minute paper

a. How do you feel about today’s session? __ Happy __ Satisfied __ Sad __ Confused

b. What question(s) do you have as we end this session?

Good Job! You are finally done with HES 032 Microbiology and Parasitology.

2022 Revision by:

HES 032 MICROBIOLOGY-PARASITOLOGY MODULE

Claire Mae Caval, RMT
HES 032 Microbiology and Parasitology Instructor
Southwestern University – Phinma Education
College of Medical Technology

This document and the information thereon is the property of PHINMA

Education (Department of Medical Technology) 2 of 8