A 55-year old man went to a doctor in Africa complaining of general malaise, myalgia, fevers and headache. He was finishing a two-week trip in rural parts of Tanzania, Africa. He did not have any symptoms during his trip. He reported trying many new foods on safari, including a variety of meats that could have been prepared and stored in conditions that would be considered unsanitary in the US. He also reported a bug bite from a few days ago. The doctors suspected malaria due to his travels and gave him Chloroquine. He returned to the United States and his condition continued to deteriorate. He developed a sore around his bug bite and his lymph nodes began to swell. He went back to his own doctor who collected blood and performed a blood smear. Following initial diagnosis, the doctor also ordered an examination of the CSF. Questions :
1. What is the most likely diagnosis?
2. What was the mode of transmission?
3. Explain the life cycle of this organism.
4. Why did the doctor order CSF examination?
5. What is the typical treatment for this illness, and how does the CSF test result influence treatment?
A 55-year old man went to a doctor in Africa complaining of general malaise, myalgia, fevers and headache. He was finishing a two-week trip in rural parts of Tanzania, Africa. He did not have any symptoms during his trip. He reported trying many new foods on safari, including a variety of meats that could have been prepared and stored in conditions that would be considered unsanitary in the US. He also reported a bug bite from a few days ago. The doctors suspected malaria due to his travels and gave him Chloroquine. He returned to the United States and his condition continued to deteriorate. He developed a sore around his bug bite and his lymph nodes began to swell. He went back to his own doctor who collected blood and performed a blood smear. Following initial diagnosis, the doctor also ordered an examination of the CSF. Questions :
1. What is the most likely diagnosis?
2. What was the mode of transmission?
3. Explain the life cycle of this organism.
4. Why did the doctor order CSF examination?
5. What is the typical treatment for this illness, and how does the CSF test result influence treatment?
