It is common for parasitic protozoan microorganisms to be those parasites that are constantly present in the human body and feed on its "juices. " They have nothing to do with worms, but some single-celled parasites can reach large sizes.
They are completely independent organisms, although they have lost the digestive vacuole, which is caused by their lifestyle.
Parasitic classes
Representatives of different organisms can be classified as follows:
- Sarcode- negligee and amoeba.
- disputes- Toxoplasma plasmodium.
- eyelashes- balantidia
- Flagella- Leishmania, Trichomonas, Trypanosomes and Giardia.
These organisms were one of the first simple organisms to appear on the planet. Their elementary structure and working functions can cause the development of fatal diseases. The list contains common representatives of protozoan parasites, but there are many more.
Effects on the body
Although these parasites are called protozoa, they have a very negative effect on the human body, causing serious diseases.
Sarcode
dysenteric amoeba (Entamoedahistolytica).The parasite is most common in hot countries. A peculiarity is the lack of skeletal and shell formations. She has legs to move. It can form cysts in the human body.
It often causes amebiasis when the intestinal wall is affected. Man has rare bloody stools. Diagnosing such an amoeba is quite difficult. It is a very dangerous parasite.
Negleria Fowler.Man is the intermediate host. The site of the parasite is usually the brain.
It causes amoebic meningoencephalitis, which is often fatal.
Flagella
Trichomonas (trichomonasvaginal).The disease occurs in men with almost no symptoms, only in the form of transportation. 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 sexually transmitted, but it also occurs through contact and household. Infected women can infect their baby during childbirth.
Garden.These microorganisms parasitize in the gastrointestinal tract. The effect on the body consists in cystic wear for many years, but the disease is mild. It rarely becomes chronic. By the way, they are not afraid of toxic substances and ultraviolet radiation.
disputes
leishmania (Leishaniaspp).This species is localized in almost all human organs and eventually destroys them. It causes a serious disease - visceral leishmaniasis. A gaping ulcer forms in their habitat, which is constantly rotting. It is difficult to treat and often requires surgery.
Plasmodium falciparum.It is localized in blood plasma, erythrocytes and liver cells. The worst thing is that these simple organisms destroy red blood cells. It leads to tropical and multi-day malaria. It can seriously damage the kidneys and break the nervous system.
Toxoplasma.It affects the lymph nodes and small intestine. Toxoplasmosis often develops, which is very dangerous for pregnant women. In the initial stage of infection mimics a viral infection.
eyelashes
intestinal balantidia (Balantidiusinches).It usually affects the large intestine, especially the appendix. This is a fairly large single-celled organism that is easily introduced into the blood.
They do not cause much harm to the body, but intestinal ulcers can occur.
Symptoms and diseases caused by protozoan parasites
Currently, a number of pathogens have been identified that cause the following diseases:
- Giardiasis.
- malaria.
- leishmaniasis.
- trichomoniasis.
- Cryptosporidiosis.
- Balantidiase.
dysenteric amoeba
Infection occurs through food and household items.
Symptoms that occur in mild disease:
- Flatulence.
- Spasmodic abdominal pain.
- Constipation is replaced by diarrhea.
The average severity of the disease:
- Symptoms increase within 10 days.
- There is weakness and loss of appetite.
- Mucous stools with blood.
- Abundant stools.
When the disease becomes chronic, the weight decreases sharply.
Pathologies caused by this parasite:
- Peritonitis.
- Amoebic appendicitis.
- Dysentery.
- Abscesses of the lungs and liver.
- Extremely rare amoebic hepatitis and brain abscess.
- Cutaneous amoebiasis with the development of ulcers and erosions.
With a lightning-fast course of the disease, even fatalities are possible in debilitated people.
Naegleria fowleri (Naegleria fowleri)
You can become infected with this parasite when swimming in a pond as well as in the air.
The disease always begins with the manifestation of acute symptoms:
- Loss of smell and sense of taste.
- Headache and weakness.
- Nausea and urge to vomit.
- Loss of coordination of movements.
- Pulmonary edema may develop.
- Hallucinations and convulsions.
It is very difficult to diagnose the disease, so it often ends in the death of the patient.
Negleria causes the following pathologies:
- Amoebic meningoencephalitis.
- Negleriasis.
- Destroys the brain.
- A person often falls into a coma.
The infection is often fatal.
lamblia
The diseases are asymptomatic. The infection is transmitted through unwashed fruits and through dirty hands.
Typical symptoms:
- Increased salivation.
- Abdominal discomfort.
- Loss of appetite and nausea.
Sometimes there is green stools with foam and a pungent odor.
Causes of diseases: giardiasis and various intestinal dysfunctions.
leishmaniasis
The invasion is caused by mosquitoes.
Manifested with severe symptoms:
- Enlargement of the spleen and liver.
- High temperature rise.
- Feverish conditions.
- Weakness and pallor of the skin.
- Bleeding on the skin.
- Cardiac problem.
- Anemia and severe weight loss.
Swelling and pneumonia can sometimes join.
This parasite leads to cachexia, decreased muscle tone, impotence and heart failure.
Trichomonas
Infection occurs with indiscriminate and hygienic items. Symptoms are usually absent, but sometimes appear.
For man:
Discomfort when urinating.
- There is blood in the semen.
- A whitish secret.
Among women:inflammation of the cervix and vagina.
The infection is very dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause premature birth.
Plasmodium falciparum
Mosquito bites lead to infection.
Plasmodium vivax.The symptoms depend on the stage of the disease:
- Chills for up to 3 hours - muscle and joint pain, liver pain.
- Fever for about 12 hours - temperature up to 40 degrees, low blood pressure, shortness of breath and tachycardia.
- Stage of heavy sweating - a sharp drop in temperature with sweating, 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 feverish attacks in the morning and in the evening. There are also signs of three-day malaria. It can cause the development of nephrotic syndrome, which is difficult to treat.
Plasmodium ovale.Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during the evening. The disease is quite easy, but the liver may be slightly enlarged.
toxoplasmosis
The ways of infection are quite extensive. You can get infected from roast meat, dirty products, 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.
- Every rash.
- Symptoms typical of meningitis and encephalitis.
- Lymph nodes are enlarged.
In chronic form:
- High temperature for a long time.
- Muscle and bone pain.
- In women, the menstrual cycle is disrupted.
- There is headache and irritability.
In addition, there may be problems with the thyroid gland and adrenal insufficiency.
Infection with parasites of this class threatens the emergence of many diseases:
- oligophrenia.
- toxoplasmosis.
- epileptic seizures.
- Inflammation of the retina.
- hepatolienal syndrome.
Rarely, however, lymph node sclerosis occurs.
Intestinal balantidia
You can catch the parasite through unboiled water, dirty hands and fruit.
Signs of infection:
- Prolonged diarrhea, with pus and blood.
- Abdominal pain syndrome.
Balantidia leads to the development of peritonitis, organ abscesses and perforation of the intestinal wall.
Conclusion
Infection with protozoa is very similar to infection with viruses. 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 occur, you should seek medical attention immediately. Self-medication is strictly forbidden.