Protozoa are simple microorganisms because they are made up of a single cell, and are responsible for infectious diseases that can be transmitted from person to person, such as trichomoniasis, for example, through insect bites, such as leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
Protozoa-borne diseases can be prevented with simple measures, such as washing hands before preparing food or coming into contact with animals, wearing condoms during sex, and wearing long or repellent pants and sleeves in areas where malaria is at risk, for example.
- Protozoa are categorized according to the form they use to move and reproduce.
- Which can be sexual or asexual.
- Perhaps.
- Without cellular binding.
- In clinical practice you can find four types of protozoa that can cause diseases in humans:.
Identification of the type of protozoa using laboratory techniques allows a better diagnosis for the orientation of the specific treatment of infection.
The most common diseases caused by protozoa are
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii, which can be the definitive host for cats and intermediate for humans, in this way people can become infected with this parasite by ingesting cysts of Toxoplasma gondii in the soil, water or food, directly. contact with the needs of infected cats or by maternal transmission. The child, also known as transplacentario, which occurs when the woman is infected with toxoplasmosis and does not perform proper treatment, could cross the placenta and infect the baby.
Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is mainly through immune problems, which indicate the concentration of antibodies against the parasite circulating in the blood. In addition to immune problems, your doctor should take care of the patient’s symptoms, even if most symptoms are similar to other parasitic symptoms.
Main symptoms: In most cases, toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic, however, in embarrassed women and people with weakened immune systems, symptoms can appear between 5 and 20 days, depending on the form of infection. The main symptoms associated with toxoplasmosis are: the appearance of inflammation of the lymph nodes of the body, headaches, red spots on the body, muscle and muscle aches. Learn to recognize the symptoms of toxoplasmosis.
How treatment is performed: Toxoplasmosis is treated with the aim of removing the parasite from the body, in which the doctor recommends the widespread use of medicines, such as pyrithamine associated with sulfadiazine, during the embargo if toxoplasmosis is diagnosed it is important that treatment is done as soon as possible to avoid foetal malformations and complications during pregnancy.
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, which, depending on the species responsible for the infection, can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe. One of the most common species in Brazil is Leishmania braziliensis, which is usually linked to more serious clinical manifestations.
The transmission of Leishmania species occurs through the mosquito bite of the genus Lutzomyia, popularly called papalotillas, jején, titira, palomilla, among others; it is only when people are bitten that the parasite found in their digestive system is deposited. Depending on the type and symptoms of the patient, leishmaniasis may be classified into skin leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis, each with specific characteristics. Learn how to identify visceral and skin leishmaniasis.
Main symptoms: In situations of skin leishmaniasis, the first symptoms usually appear between weeks and three months after protozoa infection, when observing the appearance of one or more nodules at the site of the mosquito bite, which may evolve to one. Wound will open and painless In a few weeks.
In mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, lesions are the most serious and progress rapidly to open lesions, affecting mucous membranes and cartilage, mainly nose, pharynge and mouth. These injuries can make it difficult to talk and swallow your breath, which could increase the risk of infection and lead to a woman’s death.
In visceral leishmaniasis, symptoms show chronic progression and the general cause of frequent blood and liver gain, anemia, weight loss and edema, a condition that should be treated as soon as possible, as the person with this type of leishmaniasis could rapidly progress to cachexia. and therefore the woman.
Treatment: The treatment of leishmaniasis is performed when the initial lesions are very large, the production of debilitating symptoms is multiplied and the use of pentavalent antimonials, such as amphoterin B, pentamidine and aminosidine, should be used, for example, depending on the type of leishmaniasis and guidance of the doctor.
Trichomoniasis is an infectious and sexually transmitted disease caused by protozoa Trichomonas sp. , which is the species most commonly found in Trichomonas vaginalis. Infection with this parasite can occur in both men and women, causing symptoms similar to urinary tract infections.
Main symptoms: In many cases, the symptoms of trichomoniasis take between 3 and 20 days to appear, there may be a flow of yellowish green and strong color, painful during sex and the need to work, in humans the main symptoms are clear, viscous and very abundant and anxious. See how to identify trichomoniasis.
How treatment is performed: Treatment of trichomoniasis is done with the use of antibiotics according to medical opinion, usually indicating the use of Tinidazole or Métronidazole, for example, it is important that the infected person and his partner perform the treatment of trichomoniasis, even if they do not have symptoms.
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This disease is transmitted through the bite of an insect known as “besucona chinche” in Mexico; “chipo” in Venezuela; “chirimacha” in Peru; “pito” in Colombia; “vinchuca” in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Bolivia; the “black bed” in Paraguay, the “chinchorro” in Ecuador; immediately after biting a person, defecating and releasing the parasite, and when the person tears, the site causes the protozoa to spread, allowing them to enter the body.
Although the bite of this insect is the most common form of transmission of the parasite, Chagas disease can also be contracted by transfusion of contaminated blood, mother to child during childbirth and by consumption of food contaminated with the insect or its faeces, mainly cane sugar and azai.
Main symptoms: Chagas disease symptoms vary depending on host immunity, and can be asymptomatic, as the parasite remains in the body for years without causing symptoms, symptoms vary slightly from severe to severe. person’s body and immune system.
The main symptoms associated with Chagas disease are: severe, edema in the puncture area, increased liver size and bleeding, swelling and pain in the lymph nodes and general discomfort, it is also common for heart failure to occur, leading to increased heart size, and swelling of the cheeks.
How treatment is performed: Treatment of Chagas disease is not yet well established, however, it is generally indicated that chagas patients are treated with the use of Nifurtimox or Benzinidazole.
Giardiasis is a parasitosis caused by the protozoa Giardia lamblia, which is the only species of the genus Giardia capable of infecting and causing symptoms in humans; this disease is most common in children and can be transmitted by ingestion of Giardia lamblia cysts present in water. food in the contaminated environment, in addition to direct contact with infected people; If I share this form of transmission in places where there are many people and there are no adequate health conditions, he knows more about what is transmitted by giardiasis.
Main symptoms: giardiasis symptoms appear 1 to 3 weeks after contact with protozoa and, mainly, intestinal problems, there may be abdominal cramps, increased intestinal gas production, digestion bag, voluntary weight loss and diarrhea, which can be mild and persistent or severe.
How treatment is performed: treatment of giardiasis involves the use of antibiotics and antiparasites, such as metronidazole, senidazole, tinidazole or albendazole, all of which should follow the doctor’s advice. Similarly, because of diarrhea it is important that the person drinks a lot of fluid during treatment, to avoid dehydration, which is common in these cases.
In the most severe cases, when diarrhoea is severe and persistent, it is recommended that the person be transferred to the nearest hospital care unit so that they can receive blood directly intravenously to avoid dehydration.
Amebiasis is a very common infectious disease in children that is caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica and is mainly transmitted by the ingestion of cysts present in water or food contaminated with known needs, which when you want to enter the body remain in the lining of the digestive tract and release the active forms of the parasite, which reproduce and enter the intestine of the person , causing digestive symptoms.
Main symptoms: Entamoeba histolytica can remain in the body without generating symptoms for years, however, it is more than 2 to 4 weeks after the contagion begins to show symptoms. The main symptoms associated with amebiasis are abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, excessive fatigue and the presence of blood or secrecy in need.
How treatment is performed: Treatment for amebiasis is simple and should be done with metronidazole according to your doctor’s instructions. Although parasitosis is easy to treat, it is important to start as soon as the first symptoms appear, as histology can overlap the intestinal wall and spread through the bloodstream, reaching other organisms and causing more severe symptoms. .
Malaria and malaria are caused by the bite of the female anopheles mosquito infected with the parasite plasmodium spp. This parasite, when it enters the body, passes into the liver and then multiplies and passes into the bloodstream, being able to destroy the red blood cells.
Although rare, malaria transmission can also occur through contaminated blood transfusions, exchange of contaminated syringes, or laboratory accidents, for example.
Main symptoms: the incubation period of malaria, which is the time between contact with the causal agent of the disease and the onset of the first symptoms, depending on the type of protozoa, the incubation period of malaria by P. is 18 to 40 days. 9 to 14 days in P. 12 to 17 days in P. vivax.
The first symptoms of malaria are similar to those of other infectious diseases, which can cause discomfort, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Typically, these symptoms precede the characteristic symptoms of malaria, which are often related to the parasite’s ability to penetrate and destroy red. blood cells, such as fat, sweat, dandruff, nausea, vomiting, headache and weakness.
In the most severe cases, especially when the infection occurs in children, embarrassed women, adults in the immune system and people with weakened immune systems, there may be seizures, jaundice, hypoglycemia and changes in consciousness, for example.
How the treatment is carried out: To treat malaria, the doctor usually indicates the use of antimalarial drugs, since they are administered according to the type of Plasmodium, the severity of the symptoms, the age and the immune status of each person. Therefore, the use. Chloroquine, Primaquine or Artesunate and Mefloquine, for example. More information on treating malaria.