Page 83 - MNU-PM503 Parasitology practical book

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

Case study (18):

A 39-year-old man resented to the physician suffering from persistent night sweats,

headache, intermittent fever and chills, which occurred approximately every 72 h.

Clinical examination revealed high temperature (39.6° C), low pulse rate (65/min.),

soft palpable spleen and tinge of jaundice. Blood was drawn for laboratory studies

including complete blood count, thin and thick smears for parasites.

The patient was slightly anaemic, with a haemoglobin level of 9.5 gm/dl.

Examination of Giemsa-stained blood films revealed the presence of an enlarged

R.B.Cs. containing trophozoite stages. Several irregular amoeboid trophozoites

containing brown granules were seen. Eosinophilic Stippling was visible in the

cytoplasm of the RBCs. A few round gametocytes were seen. Based on these findings,

a diagnosis of infection with a blood parasite was made.

QUESTIONS

1. Which parasite is infecting this patient?

2. Which disease does this patient have?

3. Describe the morphological characteristics of the parasitic stages which may be

detected in thin Giemsa-stained smears.

4. Name the species and the types of diseases caused by these species.

5. Comment on the size of parasitized R.B.Cs. in infection with the different

species of this genus.
6. Describe the clinical manifestations caused by this parasite.

7. Which serious complications may occur with this infection?
8. When should blood be collected, when this infection is suspected?

9. Why should thin and thick blood films be ordered to diagnose this disease?
10. In addition to thin and thick blood smears, which other laboratory tests are

available for to diagnose this infection?

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