It is customary to refer to parasitic protozoal microorganisms as those parasites that are constantly found 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.
Classes of parasites
Representatives of various bodies can be classified as follows:
- Sarcode- negleria and amoeba.
- spores- Toxoplasma Plasmodium.
- ciliates- balantidium
- Scourges- Leishmania, Trichomonas, Trypanosomes and Giardia.
These organisms are one of the first simple organisms to appear on the planet. Their elemental structure and their working functions can cause the development of life-threatening diseases. The list contains common representatives of protozoan parasites, but there are many others.
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 (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 amoebiasis when the intestinal wall is affected. A person has loose stools with blood. Diagnosing such an amoeba is quite difficult. It is a very dangerous parasite.
Negleria Fowler.Man is the intermediate host. The location of the parasite is usually the brain.
It causes amoebic meningoencephalitis, which is often fatal.
Scourges
Trichomonas (Trichmonasvaginal).The disease occurs in men with almost no symptoms, only in the form of transport. In women, it is manifested by pronounced signs of inflammation: profuse discharge with an unpleasant odor, itching and pain in the lower abdomen.
This simpler parasite, as a rule, is sexually transmitted, but it also happens by domestic means of contact. Infected women can infect their baby during delivery.
Giardia.These microorganisms parasitize in the gastrointestinal tract. The impact on the body consists in cystic transport for many years, but the disease proceeds in a mild form. It rarely 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. It 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 the blood plasma, erythrocytes and liver cells. Worst of all, these simple organisms destroy red blood cells. Leads to tropical and multi-day malaria. It can severely 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 balantides (balantidiumcoli).It usually affects the large intestine, especially the cecum. This is a fairly large single-celled organism that is easily introduced into the blood.
They don't cause much damage to the body, but ulcers can occur in the intestines.
Symptoms and diseases caused by protozoan parasites
Numerous pathogens have currently been discovered that cause the following diseases:
- Giardiasis.
- Malaria.
- Leishmaniasis.
- Trichomoniasis.
- Cryptosporidiosis.
- balantidosis.
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:
- Symptoms increase within 10 days.
- There is weakness and loss of appetite.
- Mucous stool with blood.
- I made abundant.
When the disease becomes chronic, weight decreases dramatically.
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 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 get 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.
- 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.
- It destroys 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 fruits and 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 smell.
Diseases caused: giardiasis and various intestinal dysfunctions.
Leishmania
The infestation is caused by mosquitoes.
It presents with severe symptoms:
- Enlargement of the spleen and liver.
- High temperature rise.
- Febrile conditions.
- Weakness and paleness of the skin.
- Bleeding 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 they occasionally appear.
For men:
Discomfort when urinating.
- There is blood in the semen.
- Whitish discharge.
Among women:inflammation of the cervix and vagina.
The 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 blood pressure, shortness of breath and tachycardia.
- Heavy sweating phase: a sharp decrease in temperature with the release of sweat, muscle weakness and hypotension.
Three-day malaria can develop and spontaneous healing can occur. There may be an enlarged spleen, anemia, and sometimes jaundice.
Plasmodium malaria.There are febrile attacks in the morning and in the evening. Also, there are three-day signs of malaria. It can cause the development of nephrotic syndrome, which is difficult to treat.
Plasmodium ovale.Fever attacks only come in the evening. The disease proceeds quite easily, but the liver may increase slightly.
Toxoplasma
The ways of infection are quite extensive. You can get infected with half-cooked 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.
- Rash.
- Typical symptoms of meningitis and encephalitis.
- The lymph nodes are enlarged.
In the chronic form:
- High temperature for a long time.
- Pain in the 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 emergence of many diseases:
- Oligophrenia.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- Seizures.
- Inflammation in the retina.
- hepatolienal syndrome.
Rarely, but still, sclerosis of the lymph nodes occurs.
Intestinal balantides
You can catch the parasite through unboiled water, through dirty hands, and through fruit.
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
Protozoal infection is very similar to virus infection. By definition, they are not considered worms, although they cause great harm to human health.
Infection with parasitic protozoa can lead to death, so when typical symptoms appear, you should seek medical help immediately. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.