Gain insights into the most prevalent waterborne protozoan pathogens, including Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium spp. Learn about their life cycles, transmission routes, and ecological impact.
Understand the mechanisms through which these protozoa cause disease in huma...
Waterborne Protozoan Diseases
05 November 2020 20:28
Organism Disease
*Cryptosporidium parvum Cryptosporidiosis
*Cyclospora cayetanesis Cyclosporiasis
*Giardia lamblia (Giardia intestinalis) Giardiasis
*Balantidium coli Balantidiasis (dysentery)
Acanthamoeba spp. Keratitis
The * organisms all cause diarrhoeal diseases. The exception is
acanthamoeba and it causes disease of the eye.
The water-borne parasites have more simplistic parasites compared to
vector borne parasites.
Protozoa: Survival in the Environment
Bacterial spores and protozoan cysts have the same function.
Spore stain: Bacillus sp. Cryptosporidium and Giardia produce
environmentally resistant oocysts and cysts, respectively, which allow the
parasites to survive in water for extended periods of time.
Two forms of the protozoan:
Trophozoite: a growing stage in the life cycle of some sporozoan parasites,
when they are absorbing nutrients from the host. Active reproducing form.
Cyst: Some protozoa have the ability to form a cyst to protect themselves
from harsh conditions, allowing them to survive exposure to extreme
temperatures and harmful chemicals or to go without food, water, or
oxygen for a period of time.
Giardia lamblia/ intestinalis/ duodenalis:
Giardia lamblia, is a flagellated parasitic microorganism, that colonises and
reproduces in the small intestine, causing a diarrheal condition known as
giardiasis.
Giardiasis spreads through contact with infected people. And you can get
giardiasis by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Pet
dogs and cats also frequently contract giardia.
G. lamblia are found in animal and human faeces. These parasites also
thrive in contaminated non-heated food, water, and soil, and can survive
outside a host for long periods of time. Accidentally consuming these
parasites can lead to an infection.
Water-borne protozoa Page 1
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