Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology

Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

BIO1227: MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY

INSTITUTE OF NURSING AND IAS, BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

WEEK 5: MEDICALLY SIGNIFICANT PROTOZOANS

EVANGELISTA, Dannielle T.
ITE MSM PROFILE
M
MICROBIAL PROFILE
I MICROORGANISM/CAUSATIV Toxoplasma gondii
E AGENT
A GRAM REACTION Gram- positive
B OXYGEN REQUIREMENT growth and survival at physiological oxygen levels.
C SIZE 5-50 µm in diameter.
D SHAPE crescent-like
E HABITAT most common in areas with warm, moist climates.
F DISCOVERY T. gondii was first observed in rodents by Nicolle and
Manceaux in 1908
G MICROSCOPIC IMAGE

II DISEASE PROFILE
A DISEASE/S Toxoplasmosis
B SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE  Swollen lymph glands, especially around the
neck
 Muscle aches and pains
 Headache
 Fever
 Generally feeling unwell
 Inflammation of the lungs
 Inflammation of the heart muscle
 Inflammation of the eye, for example, the
retina (at the back of the eye).

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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

C INCUBATION PERIOD 5–23 days

D MODE OF TRANSMISSION Toxoplasma can be transmitted to humans by three
principal routes: a) ingestion of raw or inadequately
cooked infected meat; b) ingestion of oocysts, an
environmentally resistant form of the organism that
cats pass in their feces, with exposure of humans
occurring through exposure to cat litter or soil; and c) a
newly infected pregnant woman passing the infection
to her unborn fetus.
E DIAGNOSIS Serologic tests for T. gondii antibodies are available at
commercial diagnostic laboratories; however, because
of the inherent difficulty in diagnosing acute
toxoplasmosis, physicians are advised to seek
confirmatory testing through the reference laboratory
at Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Toxoplasma Serology Laboratory
(www.pamf.org/serology).
F TREATMENT Treatment is reserved for acutely infected pregnant
women and those with severe disease or who are
immunocompromised. A number of regimens are
available, but the recommended regimen includes
pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and leucovorin (folic
acid). Alternative treatment regimens include
clindamycin, atovaquone, and azithromycin, but these
have not been extensively studied.
G PREVENTION Food and water precautions. Avoid direct contact with
soil or sand that may be contaminated with cat feces.
Wash hands with soap and water after gardening,
contact with soil or sand, and after changing cat litter.
H NO OF DAYS BEING between 5 and 23 days
SYMPTOMATIC

I IMAGE OF INFECTED PATIENT

ITEM MSM PROFILE

MICROBIAL PROFILE

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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

I MICROORGANISM/CAUSATIV Cryptosporidium
E AGENT
A GRAM REACTION Gram-negative
B OXYGEN REQUIREMENT reactive oxygen metabolites
C SIZE 4.2 to 5.4 µm in diameter.
D SHAPE rounded
E HABITAT can be found in water, food, soil or on surfaces or
dirty hands that have been contaminated with the
feces of humans or animals infected with the parasite.
F DISCOVERY 1907 by Edward Tyzzer in the gastric glands of
asymptomatic laboratory mice.
G MICROSCOPIC IMAGE

II DISEASE PROFILE
A DISEASE/S cryptosporidiosis
B SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE  Watery diarrhea
 Stomach cramps or pain
 Dehydration
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Fever
 Weight loss
C INCUBATION PERIOD average of 7 days (range: 2–10 days).
D MODE OF TRANSMISSION Transmission occurs by the faecal–oral route (person
to person and animal to person), and via ingestion of
contaminated foods and water.
E DIAGNOSIS The disease is diagnosed by examining stool samples.
F TREATMENT A drug called nitazoxanide has been FDA-approved for
treatment of diarrhea
G PREVENTION  Drink plenty of fluids to remain well hydrated

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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

and avoid dehydration. Serious health

problems can occur if the body does not
maintain proper fluid levels. For some people,
diarrhea can be severe resulting in
hospitalization due to dehydration.
 Maintain a well-balanced diet. Doing so may
help speed recovery.
 Avoid beverages that contain caffeine, such as
tea, coffee, and many soft drinks.
 Avoid alcohol, as it can lead to dehydration.

H NO OF DAYS BEING 2 to 10 days

SYMPTOMATIC

I IMAGE OF INFECTED PATIENT

ITE MSM PROFILE

M
MICROBIAL PROFILE
I MICROORGANISM/CAUSATIV Trypanosoma brucei-gambiens
E AGENT
A GRAM REACTION Gram-negative
B OXYGEN REQUIREMENT two oxygen molecules are required to metabolize
C SIZE 8 to 50 μm in length
D SHAPE long and slender shape
E HABITAT areas near the rivers and lakes having low marshy land

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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

have the greatest incidence of infection because the

insect vector inhabits in these areas.
F DISCOVERY In 1895, the Scottish pathologist and microbiologist
David Bruce (1855–1931) discovered T. brucei
G MICROSCOPIC IMAGE

II DISEASE PROFILE
A DISEASE/S African trypanosomiasis
B SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE Fever, severe headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue,
swollen lymph nodes, and aching muscles and joints
are common symptoms of sleeping sickness. Some
people develop a skin rash. Progressive confusion,
personality changes, and other neurologic problems
occur after infection has invaded the central nervous
system.
C INCUBATION PERIOD 7-14 d (1-2 weeks)
D MODE OF TRANSMISSION transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina species)
E DIAGNOSIS Although general laboratory studies may be helpful in
the diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis (sleeping
sickness), a definitive diagnosis of T brucei infection
requires actual detection of trypanosomes in blood,
lymph nodes, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), skin chancre
aspirates, or bone marrow.
F TREATMENT Medical treatment of East African trypanosomiasis
should begin as soon as possible and is based on the
infected person’s laboratory results. Medication for the
treatment of East African trypanosomiasis is available
through CDC. Hospitalization for treatment is usually
necessary. Periodic follow-up exams that include a
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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

spinal tap are required for 2 years.

G PREVENTION 1. Wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved
shirts and pants. The tsetse fly can bite through
thin fabrics, so clothing should be made of
medium-weight material.
2. Wear neutral-colored clothing. The tsetse fly is
attracted to bright colors and very dark colors.
3. Inspect vehicles for tsetse flies before entering.
The flies are attracted to moving vehicles.
4. Avoid bushes. The tsetse fly is less active during
the hottest period of the day. It rests in bushes
but will bite if disturbed.
5. Use insect repellant. Though insect repellants
have not proven effective in preventing tsetse
fly bites, they are effective in preventing other
insects from biting and causing illness.
H NO OF DAYS BEING 1-3 weeks
SYMPTOMATIC

I IMAGE OF INFECTED PATIENT

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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

References

African Trypanosomiasis - General Information - East African Trypanosomiasis FAQs. (n.d.).

CDC. Retrieved July 15, 2021, from

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sleepingsickness/gen_info/faqs-east.html

All About Cryptosporidiosis. (n.d.). Stanford. Retrieved July 15, 2021, from

https://web.stanford.edu/group/parasites/ParaSites2001/crypto/

Defendi, G. L., MD. (2020, December 5). Trypanosomiasis Clinical Presentation: History,

Physical, Causes. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1000389-clinical#:

%7E:text=Symptoms%20of%20the%20acute%20phase,(20%2D40%20d).

DPDx - Cryptosporidiosis. (n.d.). CDC. Retrieved July 15, 2021, from

https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/cryptosporidiosis/index.html

DPDx - Toxoplasmosis. (n.d.). CDC. Retrieved July 15, 2021, from

https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/toxoplasmosis/index.html#:%7E:text=gondii%20cyst%2C

%20unstained.-,Cysts%20of%20Toxoplasma%20gondii%20usually%20range%20in

%20size%20from%205,and%20skeletal%20and%20cardiac%20muscles.

General Information for the Public | Cryptosporidium | Parasites. (n.d.). CDC. Retrieved July

15, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/general-info.html

Hassanein, S. M. A., Abd-El-Latif, M. M. S., Hassanin, O. M., Abd-El-Latif, L. M. S., &

Ramadan, N. I. (2011). Cryptosporidium gastroenteritis in Egyptian children with acute

lymphoblastic leukemia: magnitude of the problem. Infection, 40(3), 279–284.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-011-0230-5

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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

Shah, R. (2016, May 2). Trypanosoma Gambiense: Habitat, Reproduction and Life Cycle.

Biology Discussion. https://www.biologydiscussion.com/invertebrate-

zoology/protozoa/trypanosoma-gambiense-habitat-reproduction-and-life-cycle/28140

Straily, A. S. M. (2020). Toxoplasmosis - Chapter 4 - 2020 Yellow Book | Travelers’ Health.

CDC.Gov. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travel-related-infectious-

diseases/toxoplasmosis

Sun, S. Y., Kaelber, J. T., Chen, M., Dong, X., Nematbakhsh, Y., Shi, J., Dougherty, M., Lim, C.

T., Schmid, M. F., Chiu, W., & He, C. Y. (2018). Flagellum couples cell shape to

motility inTrypanosoma brucei. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,

115(26), E5916–E5925. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1722618115

Toxoplasmosis - Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Better Health Channel. Retrieved July 15, 2021,

from

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis - History. (n.d.). Stanford. Retrieved July 15, 2021, from

https://web.stanford.edu/group/parasites/ParaSites2006/Toxoplasmosis/history.html

ROSADINO, KATRINA MAE N.

ITEM MSM PROFILE

MICROBIAL PROFILE
I MICROORGANISM/CAUSATIV Leishmania donovani
E AGENT
A GRAM REACTION gram-positive
B OXYGEN REQUIREMENT aerobic
C SIZE 3–6 μm in length and 1–3 μm in breadth.
D SHAPE oval
E HABITAT  an obligate intracellular parasite of man and
other mammalian hosts.
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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

 Promastigote forms of the parasite are found

in sand fly and in culture.
F DISCOVERY 1903, Leishman published his discovery of
"trypanosomes in India" in the British Medical Journal,
which appeared on 11 May.
G MICROSCOPIC IMAGE

Light micrograph of Leishmania donovani,

magnification 400X at 35mm.

II DISEASE PROFILE a human blood parasite responsible for visceral

leishmaniasis
A DISEASE/S vector borne disease
B SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE  Fever
 Splenomegaly
 Hepatomegaly and Jaundice
 Lymphadenopathy
 Anemia
 Leucopenia
 Thrombocytopenia
 Skin lesions
 Hypogammaglobinemia
C INCUBATION PERIOD 10 days to 24 months
D MODE OF TRANSMISSION  by sand flies
 by the bite of vector sandfly of genus
Phlebotomus and genus Lutzomyia.
 Blood transfusion, congenital infection,
accidental inoculation of cultured
promastigotes in the lab workers and sexual
intercourse.

E DIAGNOSIS  Specimens
 Blood count
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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

 Napier’s Aldehyde test

 Antimony test
 Complement fixation test
 Direct Agglutination test (DAT)
 Detection of antibodies
F TREATMENT Penta-valent antimonial.
Meglumine antimonate.
Sodium stibogluconate solution.
G PREVENTION  Keeping environment clean
 Killing of infected dogs in case of zoonotic kala-
azar
 Vector control
 Reduction of sand fly population by
insecticides mainly DDT, dieldrin, malathion.

H NO OF DAYS BEING 10 days

SYMPTOMATIC

I IMAGE OF INFECTED PATIENT

ITEM MSM PROFILE

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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

MICROBIAL PROFILE
I MICROORGANISM/CAUSATIV Euglenida
E AGENT
A GRAM REACTION
B OXYGEN REQUIREMENT unique anaerobic
C SIZE 40-60 microns in length and 14-20 microns
D SHAPE U-shaped, or ribbon-shaped
E HABITAT live in fresh and brackish water habitats such as
ponds rich in organic matter.
F DISCOVERY 1674, in a letter to the Royal Society, the Dutch
pioneer of microscopy Antoni van Leeuwenhoek
wrote that he had collected water samples from an
inland lake
G MICROSCOPIC IMAGE

magnification increases to 100x and 400x

II DISEASE PROFILE
A DISEASE/S Chagas disease
B SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE skin lesions or a purplish swelling of the lids of one
eye. Possible fever, headache, enlarged lymph
glands, pallor, muscle pain, difficulty in breathing,
swelling, and abdominal or chest pain.
C INCUBATION PERIOD 15 min
D MODE OF TRANSMISSION through the bites of infected female phlebotomine
sandflies, which feed on blood to produce eggs.
E DIAGNOSIS by detecting Leishmania parasites (DNA) in tissue
specimens such as from skin lesions
F TREATMENT Liposomal amphotericin B is FDA-approved
G PREVENTION Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible
Use insect repellent on any exposed skin and on the
ends of your pants and sleeves.
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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

Spray indoor sleeping areas with insecticide.

Sleep on the higher floors of a building
Avoid the outdoors between dusk and dawn
H NO OF DAYS BEING 2-6 months
SYMPTOMATIC

I IMAGE OF INFECTED PATIENT

ITEM MSM PROFILE

MICROBIAL PROFILE
I MICROORGANISM/CAUSATIV Cyclospora
E AGENT
A GRAM REACTION
B OXYGEN REQUIREMENT
C SIZE 7.5-10 µm 
D SHAPE spherical
E HABITAT found in many parts of the world but is most common
in tropical and subtropical regions.
F DISCOVERY Discover by Dr. Ashford, of three cases of a
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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

“coccidian-like” parasite in Papua New Guinea. His

publication went largely unnoticed for ten years until
the first documented outbreak in a physician
dormitory in the United States in 1990.
G MICROSCOPIC IMAGE

II DISEASE PROFILE
A DISEASE/S Cyclosporiasis
B SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE  Watery diarrhea
 Stomach cramps
 Loss of appetite
 Weight loss
 Slight fever
 Nausea
 Fatigue
C INCUBATION PERIOD 1 week
D MODE OF TRANSMISSION transmitted when infected feces contaminate food or
water. It's unlikely to be transmitted directly from
person to person
E DIAGNOSIS testing a stool specimen for the parasite, your
healthcare provider may ask you to submit multiple
stool specimens collected on different days to
increase the chance that the parasite is found
F TREATMENT trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
G PREVENTION  Avoid food or water that may have been
contaminated with feces.
 Washing of produce, or routine chemical
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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

disinfection or sanitizing
H NO OF DAYS BEING 2–14 or more days
SYMPTOMATIC

I IMAGE OF INFECTED PATIENT

Wikipedia contributors. (2021b, May 3). Leishmania donovani. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leishmania_donovani

Karki, G. (2020, August 25). Leishmania donovani: morphology, life cycle, pathogenesis,

clinical symptoms, lab diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. Online Biology

Notes. https://www.onlinebiologynotes.com/leishmania-donovani-morphology-life-cycle-

pathogenesis-clinical-symptoms-lab-diagnosis-treatment-prevention-and-control/

CDC - Leishmaniasis - Resources for Health Professionals. (n.d.). Cdc. Retrieved July 14, 2021,

from https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/leishmaniasis/health_professionals/index.html

Euglena - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). ScienceDirect. Retrieved July 14, 2021,

from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/euglena

Wikipedia contributors. (2021e, July 1). Euglena. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euglena#:%7E:text=In%201674%2C%20in%20a

%20letter,almost%20certain%22%20that%20these%20were

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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

Leishmaniasis. (2021, May 20). WORD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/leishmaniasis#:

%7E:text=Transmission,on%20blood%20to%20produce%20eggs.

CDC - Leishmaniasis - Resources for Health Professionals. (n.d.-b). Https://Www.Cdc.Gov/.

Retrieved July 14, 2021, from

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/leishmaniasis/health_professionals/index.html#:

%7E:text=Liposomal%20amphotericin%20B%20is%20FDA,patients.

Cafasso, J. (2018, August 23). Leishmaniasis. Healthline.

https://www.healthline.com/health/leishmaniasis

CDC - DPDx - Cyclosporiasis. (n.d.). Cdc. Retrieved July 14, 2021, from

https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/cyclosporiasis/index.html

Cyclospora Detection and Reporting from Clinical Samples. (n.d.). ASM.Org. Retrieved July 14,

2021, from https://asm.org/Guideline/Cyclospora-Detection-and-Reporting-from-

Clinical-S#:%7E:text=Cyclospora%20cayetanensis%20is%20a%20protozoal,is

%204%2D6%20mm).

About Cyclosporiasis - Minnesota Dept. of Health. (n.d.). Minnesota Department of Health.

Retrieved July 14, 2021, from

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/cyclosporasis/basics.html#:

%7E:text=Cyclospora%20is%20found%20in%20many,and%20mesclun%20and

%20romaine%20lettuce.

Eberhard ML, Pieniazek NJ, Arrowood MJ. Laboratory diagnosis of Cyclospora infections

The first human cases were reported in 1979. (n.d.). Https://Web.Stanford.Edu/. Retrieved July

14, 2021, from

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Bio1227 Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Biology
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University

https://web.stanford.edu/group/parasites/ParaSites2003/Cyclospora/History%20of

%20Discovery.htm#:%7E:text=The%20history%20of%20the%20discovery,the

%20United%20States%20in%201990.

(2021, July 1). Cyclospora. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne pathogens/cyclospora#:%7E:text=Cyclospora%20is

%20generally%20transmitted%20when,become%20infectious%20for%20another

%20person.

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