Page 81 - MNU-PM503 Parasitology practical book

Pharm D- Clinical Pharmacy Program Third Level Parasitology and virology (PM503)

Case study (16):

A 19-year-old woman presented to the physician suffering from profuse watery

diarrhea, crampy epigastric pain and foul-smelling flatulence. The patient was

instructed to submit a stool specimen for routine examination.

Three stool specimens were collected, on alternate days, and submitted for

examination for ova and parasites. A wet mount and permanent trichrome stain

microscopic examination revealed a small number of oval trophozoites, measuring

12X6 p. The structure of this trophozoite gave the overall appearance of "smiling

face". Some cysts, having 4 nuclei, the characteristic median bodies and longitudinal

fibers were also seen.

QUESTIONS

1. Which protozoan parasite is causing this infection?

2. Which form of this parasite is infectious? Draw it.

3. How does the structure of these trophozoites account for the "smiling face”?

4. Name the habitat of this parasite.

5. How is this parasite transmitted?

6. How does this parasite attach itself to the intestinal wall?

7. Which condition might result as a sequence of this attachment?

8. Describe the pathogenicity of this protozoon.

9. How is the laboratory diagnosis of this infection made?
10. What is the value of the duodenal aspirate in the diagnosis of this

infection?
11. How is this infection treated?

12. How can this infection be prevented and controlled?

75