It is common to call parasitic protozoan microorganisms 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 reach large sizes.
They are completely independent organisms, although they have lost the digestive vacuole, which is caused by their way of life.
Parasite classes
Representatives of different organisms can be classified as follows:
- Sarcode- neglect and amoeba.
- spores- Toxoplasma Plasmodium.
- ciliates- balantidium
- 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 deadly 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 diseases.
Sarcode
dysenteric amoeba (Entamoedahistolytica).The parasite is most common in warm countries. The characteristic is the absence of skeletal and shell formations. He has legs to move. It can form cysts in the human body.
It often causes amoebiasis when the intestinal wall is affected. The person has loose stools with blood. Diagnosing such an amoeba is quite difficult. She is a very dangerous parasite.
Negleria Fowler.Man is an intermediate host. The site of parasite localization is usually the brain.
It causes amoebic meningoencephalitis, which is often fatal.
Flagella
trichomonas (Trichmonasvaginalis).The disease occurs in men without any symptoms, only in the form of pregnancy. In women, it is manifested by pronounced signs of inflammation: copious discharge with an unpleasant odor, itching and pain in the lower abdomen.
This simplest parasite is usually transmitted sexually, but it also occurs through contact and home. Infected women can infect their baby during childbirth.
Garden.These microorganisms parasitize in the gastrointestinal tract. The impact on the body consists of cystic load for many years, but the disease takes place in a mild form. Rarely, it becomes chronic. By the way, they are not afraid of toxic substances and ultraviolet radiation.
spores
laishmania (Leishaniaspp).This species is localized in almost all human organs and eventually destroys them. It causes a severe disease - visceral leishmaniasis. A gaping ulcer forms in their habitat, which is constantly rotting. It is difficult to treat and often requires surgery.
Malarial Plasmodium.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 phase of the infection, it mimics a viral infection.
ciliates
intestinal balantidia (Balantidiumcoli).It usually affects the large intestine, especially the cecum. This is a fairly large single-celled organism that is easily absorbed into the blood.
They do not cause much damage 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.
- Balantidia.
dysenteric amoeba
Infection occurs through food and household items.
Symptoms of mild disease:
- Flatulence.
- Cramps in the abdomen.
- Constipation is replaced by diarrhea.
Average severity of the course of the disease:
- Symptomatology increases within 10 days.
- Weakness and loss of appetite occur.
- Mucusy stools with blood.
- Abundant excrement.
When the disease becomes chronic, the weight decreases sharply.
Pathologies caused by this parasite:
- Peritonitis.
- Amoebic appendicitis.
- Dysentery.
- Lung and liver abscesses.
- Extremely rare amoebic hepatitis and brain abscess.
- Amoebiasis of the skin with the development of ulcers and erosions.
With the rapid course of the disease, even a fatal outcome is possible in debilitated people.
Naegleria fowleri (Naegleria fowleri)
You can catch this parasite when you swim in a pond, as well as by air.
The disease always begins with the manifestation of acute symptoms:
- Loss of smell and sense of taste.
- Headaches and weakness.
- Nausea and nausea.
- Loss of coordination of movements.
- Pulmonary edema may develop.
- Hallucinations and convulsions.
The disease is very difficult to diagnose, so it often ends in the death of the patient.
Negleria causes the following pathologies:
- Amoebic meningoencephalitis.
- Negleriasis.
- It destroys the brain.
- The person often falls into a coma.
The infection is often fatal.
lamblia
Diseases appear without pronounced symptoms. The infection is transmitted by unwashed fruit and through dirty hands.
Typical symptoms:
- Increased salivation.
- Abdominal discomfort.
- Loss of appetite and nausea.
Sometimes there is a green stool with foam and a pungent odor.
Causes of diseases: giardiasis and various intestinal dysfunctions.
Leishmania
The infestation is caused by mosquitoes.
Severe symptoms occur:
- Enlargement of the spleen and liver.
- High temperature rise.
- Feverish conditions.
- Weakness and paleness of the skin.
- Hemorrhages on the skin.
- Cardiac activity problem.
- Anemia and severe weight loss.
Occasionally, edema and pneumonia may join.
This parasite leads to cachexia, decreased muscle tone, impotence and heart failure.
Trichomonas
Infection occurs with promiscuous and hygienic necessities. Symptoms are mostly absent, but they appear occasionally.
For men:
Discomfort when urinating.
- There is blood in the semen.
- White discharge.
among women:inflammation of the cervix and vagina.
The infection is very dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause premature birth.
Malarial Plasmodium
Mosquito bites lead to infection.
Plasmodium vivax.Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease:
- Shivering up to 3 hours - pain in muscles and joints, pain in the liver.
- Fever for about 12 hours - temperature up to 40 degrees, decreased pressure, shortness of breath and tachycardia.
- Phase of heavy sweating - a sharp decrease in temperature with the release of sweat, muscle weakness and hypotension.
Three-day malaria can develop and spontaneous recovery can occur. Enlargement of the spleen, anemia, and sometimes jaundice may occur.
Plasmodium malaria.Fever attacks occur in the morning and in the evening. There are also signs of three days of malaria. It can cause the development of nephrotic syndrome, which is difficult to treat.
Plasmodium ovale.Fever attacks come only in the evening. The disease is quite easy, but the liver can be slightly enlarged.
Toxoplasma
The ways of infection are quite extensive. You can get infected from half-baked meat, dirty products, blood transfusions and cuts on the skin. Otherwise, a pregnant woman's infection is often transmitted to the fetus.
In the presence of an acute form of the disease, the following symptoms appear:
- Apparent enlargement of the liver and spleen.
- Signs of jaundice.
- Rash.
- Symptoms typical of meningitis and encephalitis.
- The lymph nodes are enlarged.
In the chronic form:
- Prolonged high temperature.
- Muscle and bone pain.
- In women, the menstrual cycle is disturbed.
- Headache and irritability occur.
In addition, there may be problems with the thyroid gland and adrenal insufficiency.
Infection with parasites of this class threatens the appearance of many diseases:
- oligophrenia.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- epileptic seizures.
- Retinal inflammation.
- hepatolienal syndrome.
Rarely, but still, lymph node sclerosis occurs.
Balantidia intestinal
You can catch parasites 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 walls.
Conclusion
Protozoan infection is very similar to virus infection. By definition, they are not considered worms, although they cause great damage to human health.
Infection of protozoa with parasites can lead to death, so when typical symptoms appear, medical help should be sought immediately. Self-medication is strictly forbidden.