It is customary to refer to 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 unicellular parasites can reach large sizes.
They are completely independent organisms, although they have lost the digestive vacuole, which is caused by their lifestyle.
Parasite classes
Representatives of various organisms can be classified as follows:
- Sarcode- negleria and amoeba.
- spores- Toxoplasma Plasmodium.
- ciliates‒ balantidium
- Flagella- Leishmania, Trichomonas, Trypanosomes and Giardia.
These organisms are among the first simple organisms that appeared 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.
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 hot countries. A feature is the absence of skeletal and shell formations. She has legs for locomotion. It can form cysts in the human body.
Often causes amoebiasis 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.
Causes amoebic meningoencephalitis, which is often fatal.
Flagella
Trichomonas (Trichmonasvaginalis).The disease occurs in men with almost no symptoms, only in the form of carriage. 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 contact-household way. Infected women can infect their baby during childbirth.
Giardia.These microorganisms parasitize in the gastrointestinal tract. The impact on the body consists in cystic carriage for many years, but the disease proceeds in a mild form. Rarely, it becomes chronic. By the way, they are not afraid of toxic substances and ultraviolet radiation.
spores
Leishmania (Leishaniaspp).This species is localized in almost all human organs and eventually destroys them. Causes a serious disease - visceral leishmaniasis. In their habitat, a gaping ulcer is formed, which constantly rots. 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. Leads to tropical and multi-day malaria. Can seriously damage the kidneys and shatter 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).Usually affects the large intestine, in particular, the caecum. 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 ulcers can occur 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.
- Cramping pains 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 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 amebiasis with the development of ulcers and erosions.
With a lightning-fast course of the disease, even a fatal outcome is possible in weakened people.
Naegleria fowleri (Naegleria fowleri)
You can become infected with this parasite when swimming 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 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.
Infection is often fatal.
lamblia
Diseases occur without pronounced symptoms. Infection is transmitted with unwashed fruits and through dirty hands.
Typical symptoms:
- Increased salivation.
- Discomfort in the abdomen.
- Loss of appetite and nausea.
Sometimes there is a green stool with foam and a pungent odor.
Diseases caused: giardiasis and various intestinal dysfunctions.
Leishmania
Infestation is caused by mosquitoes.
It presents with severe symptoms:
- Enlargement of the spleen and liver.
- High temperature rise.
- Feverish conditions.
- Weakness and pallor of the skin.
- Hemorrhages on the skin.
- Problem with heart activity.
- Anemia and severe weight loss.
Sometimes edema and pneumonia can join.
This parasite leads to cachexia, decreased muscle tone, impotence and heart failure.
Trichomonas
Infection occurs with promiscuity and hygiene items. Symptoms are mostly absent, but occasionally appear.
For men:
Discomfort when urinating.
- There is blood in the semen.
- Whitish discharge.
Among women:inflammation of the cervix and vagina.
Infection is very dangerous for pregnant women, as it can cause premature birth.
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, decreased pressure, shortness of breath and tachycardia.
- Strong sweating stage - a sharp decrease in temperature with the release of sweat, muscle weakness and hypotension.
A 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 evening. Also, there are signs of three-day malaria. May cause the development of nephrotic syndrome, which is difficult to treat.
Plasmodium ovale.Attacks of fever come only in the evening. The disease proceeds quite easily, but the liver may slightly increase.
Toxoplasma
Ways of infection are quite extensive. You can get infected from half-baked 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.
- Skin rash.
- Symptoms typical of meningitis and encephalitis.
- The lymph nodes are enlarged.
In the chronic form:
- Long time high temperature.
- Pain in muscles and bones.
- In women, the menstrual cycle is disrupted.
- There is a headache and irritability.
In addition, 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.
Balantidia intestinal
You can catch the parasite through unboiled water, through dirty hands and fruits.
Signs of infection:
- Prolonged diarrhoea, 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
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 appear, you should immediately seek medical help. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.