The simplest organisms that live in the Earth's bodies of water, soil and air number up to 15, 000 species. Some of them are the oldest inhabitants of our planet. For the millions of years that have passed since the emergence of the first living organisms, most protozoa have barely changed. But they learn to adapt to new living conditions and find a way to survive. One of the most obvious ways of existence for these organisms is parasitism, including in the human body.
Parasitism
This is a kind of complex relationship between two creatures, when one parasite uses another organism as a habitat or food source.
The organism in which the parasite lives is referred to as the host. It can remain when the parasite goes through its entire cycle of development in it and intermediate, when the pathogenic organism spends in it only a certain stage of the life cycle.
Parasitism between protozoa is a type of interaction that involves not only living and parasites at the expense of others, but also poses a danger to host life, as many types of parasites cause severe forms of disease in humans, livestock, and agricultural crops.
The simplest human parasites have selected almost all organs and systems of the human body, they grow quite actively and sometimes live in them for years. This symbiosis leads to chronic disease and a decrease in the effectiveness of the treatment process.
How to enter the body:
- through hands and mouth;
- through the skin;
- contact;
- transmission from mother to fetus;
- with insect bites, animals;
Comprehensive knowledge that studies the phenomenon of parasitism, the biology of parasites and their field of spread, diagnostics, methods of treatment and prevention of parasitic diseases.
The simplest pathogenic parasites that cause various forms of disease are found almost everywhere. These are fresh water and salt, soil, various household necessities and household goods, public places. Protozoan infection is called protozoan infection or protozoa.
What is the simplest human parasite
The human body, like the body of a more or less larger animal, is a very attractive object for the parasitic life pattern. In addition to protozoa, multicellular parasites (helminths) can inhabit the human body.
According to habitat, the simplest species can be endogenous (living in the human body) or exogenous (having chosen skin as a habitat). Sometimes, as they grow, parasites move throughout the body, choosing the most suitable habitat for a particular stage of development.
Microscopic size and the presence of primitive structures allow the simplest parasites to successfully survive and reproduce in the most difficult conditions. All representatives of this species are characterized by a structure consisting of a single cell filled with cytoplasm with intracellular fluid, in which all metabolic processes take place with the participation of organelles (structures that perform multiple functions to maintain vital activity)
Movement functions can be performed by flagella, cilia, and pseudopodia intended for this. The main process (food) is done in several ways:
- swallowing by cell mouth;
- flowing around with pseudopodia (pseudopods);
- absorption by the membrane surface.
Unpleasant conditions can be a signal for the formation of cysts that are resistant to the external environment of the membrane. They are needed so that the simplest human parasite moves from one host to another and can hold captives inside the parasite for up to several years.
Reproductive cysts are characterized by the formation of thin temporary shells, which are required for protozoa for short cleavage.
Important!The simplest human parasites are the causative agents of protozoan infections: giardiasis, trichomoniasis, sleep disorders, amoebic dysentery, malaria.
Types of protozoan parasites
By means of reproduction and movement, nutritional nature, there are 4 main classes of the simplest human parasites:
Flagellate
For example, lamblia, leishmania, trichomonas, trypanosomes. They have an elongated oval or pear -shaped body. They can have from 1 to 8 thin cytoplasmic growth flagella, which are composed of the best fibrils. They move forward with the flagellum, as if shaking the space in front of them. They feed by absorbing ready -made nutrients and absorbing them through membranes. Reproduction occurs in most cases with moderate division into two child cells. Flagellate can live in colonies of up to 10, 000 people.
Sporozoans
For example, plasmodia malaria, Toxoplasma of Gondia. For the representation of this protozoa species, a very complex pathway of development is characteristic: from the carrier into human blood, then to the liver, where the parasite reproduces and affects red blood cells. Reproductive toxins cause disease in human hosts. For the next developmental cycle, the pathogen must enter the host body, where male and female cell maturation and spore formation occur. Once mature, the spores are destroyed, and the parasite once again enters the host body. The cycle is repeated.
Ciliates
For example, balantidia. For ciliates, movement with the help of cilia is characteristic. There are two nuclei in the body cells: the large nucleus controls all important processes, for the small the main role in the sexual side of the existence of protozoa is assigned. Reproduction occurs by dividing the cell into two, for most representatives of this species occurs daily, for several times a day. Food is moved into a special cavity (cell mouth) by the movement of the cilia, inside the cell it is processed by the digestive vacuole, and undigested waste is excreted outside.
Sarawak Code
For example, amoebae are dysentery. It has no fixed shape, forming many pseudopods, with its help moving and taking food. It multiplies by a moderate division. It can exist in several forms: tissue, luminal, precystic. The tissue forms only live in the intestines of sick people. The rest of the form can also be found on the body of the host.
Important!Primitive structure, cyst formation, easiest reproductive mode, microscopic measurements, all these factors allow the easiest parasites to penetrate into the most protected tissues of the human body and, if there are no adverse effects, become a source of serious and sometimes difficult to diagnose pathological conditions.
What diseases are caused by protozoan parasites
The parasitic lifestyle of the simplest microorganisms, in addition to the above factors, is also facilitated by their ability to breathe anaerobically, although many can use dissolved oxygen.
Diseases caused by protozoan parasites include:
Malaria
The main symptoms are an attack of fever, joint pain, vomiting, anemia, seizures. There may be enlargement of the spleen. Malaria is characterized by recurrent disease, with periods of rest and exacerbation. Depending on the type of pathogen, the forms are distinguished: three -day, four -day and tropical. The disease is common in Africa and South Asia. For centuries, as today, the main remedy for treatment was quinine, a remedy made from the bark of the cinchona tree. Although there are synthetic analogues, deaths due to infection occur in areas that do not receive modern medical treatment.
Amoebiasis (dysentery amebiasis)
It is caused by the simplest parasitic amoeba of the dysentery class of sarcodes. Infections can be intestinal and extraintestinal (development in the liver). 7-10 days after infection, the first symptoms appear: abdominal pain, weakness, low-grade fever (up to + 37. 5 ° C). About 10% may experience severe diarrhea, with traces of blood and mucus. Every third infected person has a fever. It is characterized by an enlarged liver and, in some cases, liver abscesses. If treatment is not started on time, then prolonged diarrhea causes dehydration, weakness and thinning of the patient's body. Outbreaks of this disease are typical for countries with hot climates.
Giardiasis
The disease is caused by the most moderate group of flagellate lamblia. This parasite has 4 pairs of flagella and a sucking disc, with which it attaches to the inside of the small intestine. When infected, symptoms appear: pain and bloating in the upper abdomen, chills and nausea, disturbances of normal intestinal function, skin lesions (atopic dermatitis), abnormalities of gallbladder function, general weakness and loss of strength, poor appetite and sleep. Giardiasis is widespread in areas with hot climates in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Leishmaniasis
The disease is caused by the parasite leishmania of the flagellate class. The main symptoms of cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis are lesions on the skin in the form of abscesses. With mucocutaneous forms, edema and deformity may occur. If the airways are involved, in rare cases, it can be fatal. The visceral form is characterized by an enlarged liver and spleen, fever and anemia. The disease is common in 88 countries, especially with tropical and subtropical climates.
Trichomoniasis
The disease is caused by the parasite Trichomonas of the flagellate class. The genitourinary system is affected. The main symptoms in women are itching and burning, hyperemia of the external genitalia, the presence of discharge with an unpleasant odor, sometimes there may be discomfort during sexual intercourse and urination. In men, in most cases, the disease is asymptomatic, sometimes pain during urination and urination, symptoms of prostatitis may appear.
Balantidiasis
The causative agent is a parasite of the ciliates class balantidia. Characteristic symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and lining of the tongue. In acute cases of the disease, a rise in temperature, signs of general intoxication are possible. The infection can also be chronic, with periods of remission and continued deterioration. In complicated cases, intestinal perforation and peritonitis are possible.
Toxoplasmosis
The disease is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma Gondia, a sporozoan parasite. The characteristic symptoms of this disease are damage to the eyes, nervous system, heart muscle, enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver and spleen. It occurs mainly in the chronic form. Often, the primary infection is very simple, on the grounds of common ARVI. After that, immunity appears indefinitely, and further infection is unlikely. The greatest danger is the fetus during pregnancy: if the child is safe, then with severe damage to the nervous system and eyes.
I'm sick of sleeping
The disease is caused by the simplest parasites of the flagellate, Gambian or Rhodesian trypanosome class. The characteristic symptoms in the first stage are fever, headache and joint pain. After 7-20 days, the second phase of the disease begins: disturbances in the perception of the surrounding world begins, disturbances in coordination of movements, numbness and sleep disturbances. Outbreaks of the disease are localized in specific areas of tropical Africa, the main vector habitat of tsetse fly infection;
Chagas disease
The causative agent is a parasite of the flagellate class trypanosoma cruzi. The main symptoms are fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, and swelling at the bite site. In the early stages, the signs of the disease may be absent, and after 8-12 weeks, secondary symptoms may begin to develop at 30-40%: increased ventricular fibrillation, development of the esophagus, enlargement of the large intestine. The second stage of the disease can last for 10-30 years after infection. The infection is most prevalent in Latin America.
Important!A large number of parasites easily enter the human body if the basic rules of hygiene and personal hygiene are not followed.
The route of infection
Penetration of any microorganism into the human body can occur through penetration through the skin or natural openings. For most protozoan parasites found in the environment, human methods of infection are limited to the four most common:
- Contact and household. This route of infection is available to the easiest organisms that violate the rules of sanitation and personal hygiene. However, most microorganisms, when moving from the body of one host to another, can form cysts and remain in this state until they enter a favorable environment, in other words, inside a person. Infections can occur at any time: when shaking hands, using other people's household items (towels, linens, dishes), washing hands with dirty water (in the pool);
- Fecal-oral (giardiasis). In this case, the infection occurs when the parasite leaves the intestine with feces or vomit. If hygiene rules are not followed, parasites enter the water, food or hands of a new host and enter the body. Poorly washed vegetables and herbs can also be a source of infection, and for children, dirty hands after playing in the sandbox or with pets;
- Through contaminated food (toxoplasmosis). The flesh of most animals, especially wild ones, can contain cysts of protozoan parasites, which, with inadequate heat treatment, enter the human body. Infection may also occur through dairy products that have not passed hygiene controls, and raw fish without adequate heat treatment;
- Infectious (malaria, sleep disorders). Infection occurs with the transmission of pathogens through the saliva of the carrier when bitten. The disease is spread by infected insects directly to susceptible organisms.
In addition to the main methods of infection, infection can occur in several other ways, which are rare:
- Transplacental with penetration of protozoan parasites from the infected mother through the placenta to the fetus;
- Hemocontact when parasite -infected blood enters the patient's body (during medical procedures, narcotic injections, during sexual intercourse);
- Sexual infections occur only through sexual intercourse.
prevention
Prevention of infection with protozoan parasites includes, first of all, compliance with all rules of hygiene and sanitation. The possible exclusion of infection with parasites can be achieved by following a few recommendations:
- Adequate heat treatment of meat, dairy products and fish (in accordance with thermal regulations according to technology). Particular attention is given to products that have not passed hygiene control;
- Wash fruits, vegetables, berries and herbs thoroughly, it is better to use boiling water. If heat treatment is not possible, especially for feeding the child, it is better to remove the skin;
- Regular medical examinations, especially if there is a suspicion of infection with protozoan parasites;
- Obeying one sexual partner and refusing to use drugs;
- In the prevention of infection from insect bites, specific actions can be applied: the use of drugs, the destruction of mosquitoes, mosquito nets and repellents, the elimination of transgenic mosquitoes (resistant to malaria), the creation of vaccines.
Important!Very important in the prevention of infections, including the simplest of human parasites, is the level of immunity. However, if the cyst suffers from a bad condition, where it lacks nutrients or immune cells are constantly attacking foreign objects, then the parasite will die or leave the host’s body.
There are a number of foods that are natural immunostimulants (garlic, ginger, broccoli, carrots, green tea) that, if consumed in a balanced way, can provide a very valuable aid to the body in boosting immunity.
In addition, some products have a negative effect on the growth and reproduction of protozoa, especially products that have settled in the digestive tract: rice and pearl barley porridge, dried fruits, baked apples, vegetable oil, boiled vegetables. When treating parasites, it is necessary to limit or completely exclude products that provoke the fermentation process: baked goods and sugar.
Currently, the pharmaceutical industry offers many expensive antiparasitic drugs. However, its effective use can be achieved only in combination with precautionary measures and adherence to a specific diet, the composition of which can be consulted by a qualified specialist.
Do not forget about folk remedies, time-tested and many generations. If there is a combination of all methods and methods under the supervision of a doctor, the chances of parasites have little chance.
In conclusion
At the beginning of the 21st century, it can be observed that humans have made much progress in the development of parasitology. Messages about new discoveries about a particular drug are always gladly received by people today who need help and treatment.
The simplest human parasite remains a serious problem in many countries, where the level of development of medicine and society as a whole leaves much to be desired. There are many more places on our planet where diseases like malaria, sleep disorders, leishmaniasis and many more are rampant. And people are waiting and hoping that everyone has a chance to live without disease.
Parasitic diseases in our time are relevant, they require social interaction in all spheres of human life, aimed at improving medical care for the population, complying with the rules and norms of personal and general hygiene, performing preventive measures and hygiene and educational work, sanitation of the organism's natural focuspathogen.
Currently, in many countries of the world, various scientific studies are being conducted in the field of parasitology:
- development of scientific bases and methods for monitoring infectious and parasitic infections;
- study of biological characteristics and variability of major disease -causing agents caused by protozoan parasites;
- quality control and environmental safety of meat and fish products;
- conduct basic studies to study the pathogen development of parasitic diseases, its genetic variability, ecology.