It is customary to refer to parasitic protozoan microorganisms to those parasites that are constantly in the human body and feed on its "juices". They have nothing to do with worms, but some single-celled parasites can grow to large sizes.
They are completely independent organisms, although they have lost the digestive vacuole, which is caused by their lifestyle.
classes of parasites
Representatives of various organisms can be classified as follows:
- sarcode- negleria and amoeba.
- spores- Plasmodium Toxoplasma.
- ciliates- balantidium
- flagella- Leishmania, Trichomonas, Trypanosomes and Giardia.
These organisms are one of the first simple organisms that appeared on the planet. Its elemental structure and work functions can cause the development of fatal diseases. The list contains common representatives of protozoan parasites, but there are many more.
impact on the body
Although these parasites are called protozoa, they have a very negative effect on the human body, causing serious illness.
sarcode
dysenteric amoeba (Entamoedahistolytic).The parasite is more common in hot countries. One feature is the absence of skeletal and shell formations. It has legs for locomotion. It can form cysts in the human body.
It often causes amebiasis when the intestinal wall is affected. A person has loose stools with blood. Diagnosing such an amoeba is quite difficult. She is a very dangerous parasite.
Negleria Fowler.Man is the intermediate host. The place of localization of the parasite is usually the brain.
It causes amoebic meningoencephalitis, which is often fatal.
flagella
trichomonads (trichomonasvaginal).The disease occurs in men with almost no symptoms, only in the form of a chariot. In women, it manifests itself with pronounced signs of inflammation: profuse discharge with an unpleasant odor, itching and pain in the lower abdomen.
This simplest parasite, as a rule, is transmitted sexually, but it happens that it is also by household means of contact. Infected women can infect their baby during childbirth.
Giardia.These microorganisms parasitize in the gastrointestinal tract. The impact on the body consists of cystic transport for many years, but the disease develops mildly. Rarely, it becomes chronic. By the way, they are not afraid of toxic substances and ultraviolet radiation.
spores
Leishmaniasis (Leishaniaspp).This species is located in almost all human organs and eventually destroys them. It causes a serious disease: visceral leishmaniasis. In its habitat, an open sore forms, constantly rotting. It is difficult to treat and often requires surgery.
malarial plasmodium.It is located in blood plasma, erythrocytes and liver cells. The worst thing is that these simple organisms destroy the red blood cells. It leads to tropical and multi-day malaria. It can seriously damage the kidneys and destroy the nervous system.
Toxoplasma.It affects the lymph nodes and the small intestine. Toxoplasmosis often develops, which is very dangerous for pregnant women. In the initial stage of infection, it mimics a viral infection.
ciliates
Intestinal balantidia (balantidiumcoli).It usually affects the large intestine, particularly the cecum. This is a fairly large single-celled organism that easily gets into the blood.
They do not cause much damage to the body, but ulcers can appear in the intestines.
Symptoms and diseases caused by protozoan parasites
Currently, a number of pathogens have been discovered that cause the following diseases:
- Giardiasis.
- Malaria.
- Leishmaniasis.
- Trichomoniasis.
- Cryptosporidiosis.
- Balantidiasis.
dysenteric amoeba
Infection occurs through food and household items.
Symptoms that appear with a mild course of the disease:
- Flatulence.
- Cramps in the abdomen.
- Constipation is replaced by diarrhea.
The average severity of the course of the disease:
- The symptomatology increases within 10 days.
- There is weakness and loss of appetite.
- Mucous stools with blood.
- Abundant feces.
When the disease becomes chronic, the weight drops sharply.
Pathologies caused by this parasite:
- Peritonitis.
- amoebic appendicitis.
- Dysentery.
- Abscesses of the lungs and liver.
- Extremely rare amoebic hepatitis and brain abscess.
- Cutaneous amebiasis with development of ulcers and erosions.
With an ultrarapid course of the disease, even a fatal outcome is possible in weakened people.
Naegleria fowleri (Naegleria fowleri)
You can get infected with this parasite by swimming in a pond, as well as through the air.
The disease always begins with the manifestation of acute symptoms:
- Loss of smell and sense of taste.
- Headaches and weakness.
- Nausea and desire to vomit.
- Loss of coordination of movements.
- Pulmonary edema may develop.
- Hallucinations and seizures.
It is very difficult to diagnose the disease, which is why it often ends with the death of the patient.
Negleria causes the following pathologies:
- Amoebic meningoencephalitis.
- Negleriasis.
- Destroy the brain.
- A person often falls into a coma.
The infection is often fatal.
Lamblia
Diseases occur without pronounced symptoms. The infection is transmitted with unwashed fruit and through dirty hands.
Typical symptoms:
- Increased salivation.
- Discomfort in the abdomen.
- Loss of appetite and nausea.
Sometimes there are green stools with foam and pungent odor.
Diseases it causes: giardiasis and various intestinal dysfunctions.
Leishmaniasis
The infestation is caused by mosquitoes.
It presents with severe symptoms:
- Enlarged spleen and liver.
- High temperature rise.
- febrile conditions.
- Weakness and paleness of the skin.
- Hemorrhages on the skin.
- Problem with the activity of the heart.
- Anemia and severe weight loss.
Edema and pneumonia can sometimes be combined.
This parasite causes cachexia, decreased muscle tone, impotence, and heart failure.
trichomonas
Infection occurs with promiscuity and hygiene items. Most symptoms are absent, but occasionally they do appear.
For men:
Discomfort when urinating.
- There is blood in the semen.
- whitish discharge
Between women:inflammation of the cervix and vagina.
The infection is very dangerous for pregnant women, as it can cause premature labor.
malarial plasmodium
Mosquito bites lead to infection.
Plasmodium vivax.Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease:
- Chills up to 3 hours: muscle and joint pain, pain in the liver.
- Fever for about 12 hours - temperature up to 40 degrees, drop in pressure, shortness of breath and tachycardia.
- Stage of strong sweating - a sharp drop in temperature with the release of sweat, muscle weakness and hypotension.
Three-day malaria may develop and spontaneous recovery may occur. There may be an enlarged spleen, anemia, and sometimes jaundice.
Plasmodium malaria.There are febrile attacks in the morning and in the evening. In addition, there are signs of three-day malaria. It can cause the development of nephrotic syndrome, which is difficult to treat.
oval plasmodium.Fever attacks come only at night. The disease progresses quite easily, but the liver may slightly increase.
toxoplasma
The ways of infection are quite extensive. You can get infected from undercooked meat, dirty produce, blood transfusions, and skin cuts. By the way, the infection of a pregnant woman is often transmitted to the fetus.
In the presence of an acute form of the disease, the following symptoms appear:
- Obvious enlargement of the liver and spleen.
- signs of jaundice
- Acne.
- Typical symptoms of meningitis and encephalitis.
- The lymph nodes are enlarged.
In the chronic form:
- High temperature for a long time.
- Pain in muscles and bones.
- In women, the menstrual cycle is interrupted.
- There is headache and irritability.
Also, there may be problems with the thyroid gland and adrenal insufficiency.
Infection with parasites of this class threatens the occurrence of many diseases:
- Oligophrenia.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- epileptic seizures.
- Inflammation in the retina.
- hepatolienal syndrome.
Rarely, but still, sclerosis of the lymph nodes occurs.
Intestinal balantidia
You can catch the parasite through unboiled water, through dirty hands and fruits.
Signs of infection:
- Prolonged diarrhea, with pus and blood.
- Pain syndrome in the abdomen.
Balantidia leads to the development of peritonitis, organ abscesses and perforation of the intestinal walls.
conclusion
Protozoan infection is very similar to virus infection. By definition, they are not considered worms, although they cause great harm to human health.
Infection with protozoan parasites can lead to death, so when typical symptoms appear, you should immediately seek medical help. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.