LESSON 1: PARASITIC DISEASES OF MAN

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Correctly identify the pathogen, mode of transmission and treatment of parasitic diseases of
man; and
2. categorize correctly various parasitic infections of body system.
LET'S ENGAGE
Parasites are organisms that live on or in other living organisms, at whose expense they gain
some advantage. For lesson 1, we will be dealing with Parasitic Protozoal Infections and
Helminth Infections. But before we proceed, let me hear your thoughts on how do you think does
parasite cause damage to their host?
Aside from sickness and death, parasites can create harmful compounds in the form of
secretions, excretions, or other products such as proteolytic enzymes and colors. Schistosome
cercariae, Entamoeba histolytica, and Malaria parasites are examples of these that can hurt or
sensitize the host.
IT'S YOUR TURN
A. With what you understood from the discussions on "Let's talk about it" complete the table
below. Place all answers on your answer sheet. The first one was answered for your
example.
DISEASE PATHOGEN MODE OF TRANSMISSION TREATMENT
Malaria Plasmodium It is spread by infected  Atovaquone-
mosquitoes as a route of proguanil
transmission. A mosquito feeds (Malarone)
on the blood of an infected  Quinine sulfate
person, ingesting Plasmodia (Qualaquin) with
from the blood. doxycycline
(Oracea,
Vibramycin,
others)
 Primaquine
phosphate.
Amebiasis Entamoeba The parasite only survives in You'll take a pill of
histolytica people and is spread by their metronidazole (Flagyl),
feces (poop). Amebiasis is followed by a diloxanide
contracted by placing furoate or paromomycin
something in one's mouth that antibiotic.
has come into contact with
infected feces or by eating or
drinking contaminated food or
 water. It can also be sexually
transmitted through oral-anal
contact.
Schistosomiasis Schistosoma When your skin comes into Praziquantel, a
haematobium, touch with polluted waters prescription drug, is used
Schistosoma containing schistosome- to treat infections caused
mansoni, and carrying snails, you will by all schistosome
Schistosoma become infected. When species and is
mansoni are infected persons urinate or administered for 1-2
the three most defecate in the water, the water days.
common gets polluted with Schistosoma
parasitic eggs.
species that in
and S.
japonicum
mansoni. S
Ascariasis Ascaris Consumption of infectious eggs The treatments of choice
lumbricoides causes ascariasis. This can for treating Ascaris
occur when contaminated dirt- infections, independent
covered hands or fingers are of the species of worm,
placed in the mouth, or when are anthelmintic
vegetables or fruits are pharmaceuticals (drugs
consumed without being that eliminate parasitic
thoroughly cooked, cleaned, or worms from the body),
peeled. such as albendazole and
mebendazole.
Leishmaniasis Infection with The bite of infected female The FDA has authorized
Leishmania phlebotomine sand flies liposomal amphotericin
parasites transmits leishmaniasis. During B for the treatment of
causes blood feeds, sand flies inject the visceral leishmaniasis,
leishmaniasis, infective stage (promastigotes) and it is the therapy of
which is from their proboscis. choice for most patients.
spread
through the
bite of
phlebotomine
sand flies.
B. Basing from activity A, categorize the different diseases by the body systems it affects.
DISEASE BODY SYSTEM AFFECTED
Malaria Digestive system
Amebiasis Digestive system
Schistosomiasis Digestive system and Urinary System
Ascariasis Digestive system
Leishmaniasis Immune System and Reticuloendothelial
system