Term
| Infection results in subcutaneous "caliber" swellings and can be seen migrating across the eye and beneath the conjuctiva. |
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Definition
| Loa Loa. (Transmitted by the bite of the mango fly). |
|
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Term
| Causes perianal pruritus, with diagnosis confirmed by the recovery of the eggs from the anus with scotch tape. |
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Definition
Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)
Most common helminth infection in the US, often associated with day-care centers. |
|
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Term
| Larvae form large space-occupying hydatid cysts in the liver and lung, and leakage of fluid can result in anaphylaxis. |
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Definition
Echinococcus granulosus (Dog Tapeworm)
Common in herbivores such as sheep, and in sheep farmers with lots of sheepdogs. |
|
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Term
| Removal of this nematode is traditionally accomplished by slowly twisting it around a stick to remove it from beneath the skin. |
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Definition
Dracunculis medinensis.
Acquired by consuming water contaminated with the cyclops, a microscopic crustacean. |
|
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Term
| A common cause of vaginitis, it often presents with vulvo-vaginal pruritis, with a profuse and frothy discharge |
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Definition
Trichomonas vaginalis
(causes strawberry mucosa, red spotting and edema of affected mucosa) |
|
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Term
| Most common helminth infection in humans worldwide. |
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Definition
Ascaris
(Causes GI obstruction, liver abscesses, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis) |
|
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Term
| Chronic infection with this worm constitutes an important cause of anemia worldwide. |
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Definition
Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm)
(Leads to iron deficiency anemia, b/c it consumes blood). |
|
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Term
| Dissemination to the liver can result in abscess formation with a characteristic anchovy paste aspirate. |
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Definition
|
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Term
| Migration of larval nematodes below the skin results in serpiginous urticarial trails on the skin (creeping eruptions) |
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Definition
Ancylostoma braziliense (hookworms)
(Acquired by contact with sand containing feces of cats and dogs) |
|
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Term
| Results in rhinocerebral disease, primarily in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis or leukemia. |
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Definition
| Mucor and Rhizopus species of fungus. |
|
|
Term
| This organism grows as multiple budding yeasts that appear as a "captain's wheel" and causes disease almost exclusively in men. |
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Definition
Paracoccidioides braziliense
(granulomatous lung disease in central and south america) |
|
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Term
| Causes an alveolar pneumonia, typically in AIDS patients. |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| Causes a cottage cheese like vaginal discharge. |
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Definition
Candida albicans
(predisposing factors include diabetes, broad spectrum antibiotics, and immunosuppression). |
|
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Term
| Systemic mycosis endemic to the southeastern USA. |
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Definition
Blastomyces dermatitidis.
(fungi appears in infected tissue as yeast with broad-based budding). |
|
|
Term
| The only mycotic pathogen with a capsule. |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| The only common pathogenic protozoa of the small intestine. |
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Definition
Giardia lamblia
(heart-shaped trophozoite with two nuclei, flagella and large sucking disk for adherence). |
|
|
Term
| Although an opportunistic mycosis, it can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis such as Farmer's Lung. |
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Definition
Aspergillus fumigatus
(results from inhalation of moldy hay) |
|
|
Term
| Causes the most common subcutaneous mycosis, Rose handler's disease |
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Definition
Sporothrix schenckii
(Transmitted by the prick of a contaminated thorn, treated with a dilute solution of potassium iodide [KI] in milk). |
|
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Term
| Most common cause of tinea capitis, ringworm of the scalp. |
|
Definition
Microsporum canis
(Common in children w/ pets). |
|
|
Term
| Causes tinea versicolor, which manifests as patches of hyper- and hypopigmentation on the trunk. |
|
Definition
Malassezia furfur
(found in skin scales and has a typical spaghetti and meatball appearance). |
|
|
Term
| Most common pulmonary mycotic infection with symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to tuberculosis-like symptoms |
|
Definition
Histoplasma capsulatum
(in immunocompetent individuals, infection often resolves, with calcification of hilar lymph nodes) |
|
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Term
| Produces the carcinogen aflatoxin and is a common contaminant of moldy nuts and grains. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Systemic mycosis endemic to the San Joaquin Valley in southern California. |
|
Definition
Coccidioides immitis
(Causes 'Valley Fever' characterized by arthralgias, cough and fever). |
|
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Term
| Most common myctotic pathogen. |
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Definition
Candida albicans
(although a yeast, it can form pseudohyphae in infected tissue a nd form characteristic germ tubes at 37 C in the lab). |
|
|
Term
| Infection with different species results in dermal, mucocutaneous, and visceral forms of the disease. |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| Causes flatulence and diarrhea with steatorrhea and the production of bulky and greasy foul-smelling stool. |
|
Definition
Giardia lamblia
(infection more common among day-care children and campers). |
|
|
Term
| Common cause of amebic dysentery, infection leads to the formation of flask-shaped ulcers in the colonic mucosa. |
|
Definition
Entamoeba histolytica
(the finding of trophozoites with ingested RBCs is pathognomonic- i.e. diagnostic) |
|
|
Term
| Associated with the inhalation of spores from bird or bat droppings in the Ohio and Mississippi river valley |
|
Definition
Histoplasma capsulatum
(histologically characterized by macrophages stuffed with numerous yeast cells) |
|
|
Term
| Causes cutaneous infections such as tinea corporis, tinea cruris (jock itch), and tinea pedis (athlete's foot). |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Causes meningitis in patients with underlying immunodeficiency, especially AIDS |
|
Definition
Cryptococcus neoformans
(associated with pigeon droppings, causes 'soap bubble lesions' in the brain) |
|
|
Term
| Found within infected tissue as spherules that rupture to release endospores. |
|
Definition
Coccidioides immitis
(Dimorphic fungi with contraction of infection by inhalation of arthrospores from sand and soil). |
|
|
Term
| One of the most common cestode infections in the US and associated with the consumption of improperly cooked contaminated beef. |
|
Definition
| Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) |
|
|
Term
| Produces a toxin that results in liver damage upon ingestion of wild mushrooms |
|
Definition
Amanita species
(ingestion results in life-threatening fulminant hepatitis) |
|
|
Term
| Usually asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, infection in an AIDS patient can result in fulminant, life-threatening encephalitis |
|
Definition
Toxoplasmosis gondii
(visualized radiographically as a ring-enhancing mass on CT) |
|
|
Term
| Exposure of nonimmune mothers results in fetal transmission with the potential for stillbirth and intracerebral calcifications |
|
Definition
Toxoplasmosis gondii
(infection may be acquired from cysts in raw or undercooked meat or aerosolization of cat feces from litter boxes) |
|
|
Term
| Transmitted by the sandfly, the amastigote stage survives and multiplies within macrophages. |
|
Definition
Leishmania spp.
(the only protozoan parasite capable of replication within the phagolysosomes of reticuloendothelial cells) |
|
|
Term
| Identified as pear-shaped, flagellated trophozites with undulating movements on a wet-mount slide of vaginal or urethral discharge |
|
Definition
Trichomonas vaginalis
(typically a sexually transmitted disease, growth associated with abnormally alkaline pH of the vagina) |
|
|
Term
| A major cause of heart disease in Central and South America |
|
Definition
Trypanosoma cruzi
(acute forms of chagas disease lead to direct invasion of myocardium with inflammation. Chronic chagas can involve autoimmune destruction and life threatening arrhythmias) |
|
|
Term
| Causes white curd-like patches on the mucocutaneous membranes of the mouth and extend downward to cause esophagitis in immunocompromised patients |
|
Definition
Candida albicans
(in addition to causing thrush, C. albicans is a common cause of tinea unguium [fungal infection of the nails] and diaper rash) |
|
|
Term
| The smallest of all intestinal nematodes, high worm burden is possibly the result of autoinfection |
|
Definition
Strongyloides stercoralis
(only intestinal nematode capable of completing its life cycle within the human host) |
|
|
Term
| Proliferation of this organism within the lung causes a 'fungus ball' that must be removed surgically |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Infection of the bladder is associated with the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder |
|
Definition
Schistosoma hematobium
(diagnosis is confirmed by finding spherical eggs with a terminal spine in the urine) |
|
|
Term
| Rectal prolapse is as potential complication in children resulting from straining during defecation with infection of this nematode |
|
Definition
| Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm) |
|
|
Term
| Infection is acquired by consuming cysts in under-cooked contaminated pork |
|
Definition
Trichnella spiralis
(infection results in flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, myalgias and periorbital edema) |
|
|
Term
| Accidental transmission of these nematodes from pet feces (in sandboxes or on sandy beaches) results in Visceral larva migrans |
|
Definition
Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati
(symptoms include eosinophilia, pneumonitis and vision loss) |
|
|
Term
| Infection with the larval form of this tapeworm from feces-contaminated water can lead to cysticercosis |
|
Definition
Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)
(results in growth of larva in the brain, resulting in swiss cheese appearance of cerebral hemispheres) |
|
|
Term
| Systemic mycosis that begins as lower respiratory tract infection and may disseminate to cause warty-like skin lesions |
|
Definition
Blastomyces dermatitidis
(results in granulomatous lung lesions similar to TB, may also result in skeletal and genitourinary manifestations) |
|
|
Term
| Can destroy the myenteric plexus, resulting in megaesophagus and megacolon |
|
Definition
Trypaonosoma cruzi
(transmitted by the droppings of the reduviid bug [kissing bug], often with initial development of unilateral swelling of the eyelids [Romana's sign]) |
|
|
Term
| Transmitted by the tsetse fly, this protozoa causes African sleeping sickness, characterized by cyclic fevers, encephalitis, slurred speech, and somnolence |
|
Definition
Trypanosoma brucei
(evades the immune system by genetic rearrangement of its variable surgace glycoproteins [VSG]) |
|
|
Term
| Endemic to Africa, especially along river basins, infection can result in River blindness |
|
Definition
Oncocerca volvulus
(transmitted by the blackfly, this nematode causes loss of elasticity of the skin with significant dependent edema). |
|
|
Term
| Filariasis (Elephantiasis) |
|
Definition
Wucheria banfrofi
(Causes destruction of the lymph vessels, resulting in edema with swelling of legs and genitalia) |
|
|
Term
| Causes a self-limmiting diarrhea in immunocompetent individuals or life-threatening intractable diarrhea in AIDS patients |
|
Definition
Cryptosporidium parvum
(infection is associated with the consumption of water contaminated with infected animal feces) |
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