Moraxella
Classification Characteristics Features: M. catarrhalis and M. lacunata are the most clinically relevant species within this genus. Pathogenesis Transmission Pathogenic features Associated Diseases M. catarrhalis M. lacunata M. lacunata is a common cause of chronic angular blepharoconjunctivitis in humans. Diagnosis Treatment References
Taenia/Taeniasis
General Characteristics and Epidemiology General features of Taenia Taenia is a genus of parasitic cestodes (tapeworms). Eggs: Adults: Clinically relevant species Taenia tapeworms cause the following diseases: Epidemiology Geographic distribution of species: Taeniasis: Cysticercosis: Pathogenesis Hosts Risk factors for hosts Transmission Life cycle and pathophysiology Taeniasis: Cysticercosis: Clinical Presentation Taeniasis Most patients (particularly adults) are […]
Enterobius/Enterobiasis
General Characteristics and Epidemiology Basic features of Enterobius Clinically relevant species Enterobius vermicularis, or pinworm, causes enterobiasis. Epidemiology Enterobiasis is the most common helminth infection in the United States and Western Europe. Pathogenesis Reservoir Humans are the primary hosts of E. vermicularis. Transmission Host risk factors Life cycle The entire life cycle of E. vermicularis […]
Dibothriocephalus/Diphyllobothriasis
General Characteristics and Epidemiology General features Diphyllobothriasis, or Dibothriocephalus infection, is caused by a parasitic infection from cestodes (tapeworms) in the genera Dibothriocephalus and Adenocephalus. Clinically relevant species Epidemiology Pathogenesis Hosts Definitive hosts: Intermediate hosts: Transmission Diphyllobothriasis is transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked fish. Life cycle Clinical Presentation General signs and symptoms […]
Echinococcus/Echinococcosis
General Characteristics and Epidemiology General features of Echinococcosis Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus tapeworms. Features include: Eggs: Adults: Clinically relevant species Epidemiology E. granulosus: E. multilocularis: E. vogeli and E. oligarthrus: Pathogenesis Hosts E. granulosus: E. multilocularis: Transmission Transmission occurs through ingestion of eggs, usually from food or water contaminated with animal […]
Toxocariasis
General Characteristics and Epidemiology Basic features of Toxocara Nematode (roundworm) A dioecious helminth (males and females have different morphologies): Females are longer than males. Males have a curved tail with paired spicules. Size: 4–12 cm long Have complete digestive systems Move in contractile waves Eggs: Brownish Spherical Granulated or pitted surface Very resistant to adverse […]
Coxiella/Q Fever
General Characteristics of Coxiella General features of Coxiella Clinically relevant species Coxiella burnetii causes Q fever. Epidemiology and Pathogenesis Epidemiology Reservoir Routes of transmission Host risk factors Virulence factors Antigenic phase variation: Morphological variants: Escape from intracellular killing: Pathophysiology Clinical Presentation Patients may present with a wide range of symptoms, and vary in severity from […]
Trichinella/Trichinellosis
General Characteristics Basic features of Trichinella Clinically relevant species Epidemiology Pathophysiology Reservoirs and transmission Pathogenesis Clinical Presentation Complications Diagnosis Diagnostic tests Additional tests Management Treatment Prognosis Differential Diagnosis References
Hookworm Infections
Overview General characteristics Epidemiology Host risk factors Pathogenesis Reservoirs and transmission Life cycle Disease process Clinical Presentation Dermal penetration Pulmonary stage Gastrointestinal stage Nutritional impairment Diagnosis and Management Diagnosis Management Medical management: Prevention: Differential Diagnosis References
Plasmodium/Malaria
Overview Definition Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by unicellular parasites of the Plasmodium genus and transmitted by mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus. Epidemiology Malaria occurs throughout most of the tropical regions of Africa, Central and South America, parts of the Caribbean, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the South Pacific. In 2019, the WHO reported 229 […]