HSS 1100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Sulfamethoxazole, Universal Precautions, Antigen

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Health Sciences
• Course: HSS 1100
• Professor: Franco Pagotto

Document Summary

Intimate and obligatory symbiotic relationship between two organisms of different species. Parasite is metabolic and physiologically dependent on host. Very common way of life (50% of animal species) True parasites include protozoans (single celled), helminths (worms) and arthropods (ectoparasites) > i have sometimes also seen animalcules a moving very prettily, their belly which was flat like, furnish with sundry little paws . Demonstrated to be a true pathogen in the early 1900s. Acute giardiasis: diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomitting. Retardation of growth and development in young children (failure to thrive) Most common protozoan infection of intestinal tract worldwide. 2-5% in industrialized world and 20-30% in developing world. Prevalence rises through infancy and childhood and declines in adolesences (related to faecal-oral route of transmission) Other high risk groups include traveler and immunocompromised. Cysts concentrated by flotation and identified using bight-fiel microscopy. Immunoflurecence microscopy using fluorochrome-conjugated mab"s that bind to cyst wall. Detection of giardia- specific antigens in faeces (elisa)