Parasitology Final Exam
The elimination of the Guinea worm would seem to be pretty straight-forward and yet
has proven to be far more problematic than expected. Name/list a reason this parasite
is still plaguing humans today. - answersBecause they are resilient and can go
undetected up to a year before emerging from a blister
Give 2 convincing pieces of evidence that demonstrate or suggest that parasites have
been with humans for a long time. - answers1. The presence of tapeworms being
associated in Egyptian mummies dated at around 3000-4000 BC.
2. The mention of the guinea worm in the Bible (Fiery serpents)
How exactly does Giardia cause harm in human hosts? - answersa. It often doesn't
b. It causes irritation secondary to feeding on mucosal secretions
Dermatobia hominis grabs unsuspecting flies and glues eggs onto their bodies. They
don't have to do this, but they sometimes do. The flies themselves don't seem to care
and aren't bothered by the presence of the eggs. What's the specific type of symbiosis
illustrated here? - answersPhoresis
What's the most common flagellate of the human digestive system? - answersGiardia
duodenalis = G. lamblia = G. intestinalis
Glossina fly species are notable for carrying what 2 closely related parasites
responsible for an illness in humans that begins with nonspecific discomfort and fever
and progresses to neurologic signs? - answersTrypanosoma brucei gambiense and
Trypanosoma brchei rhodesiense
Circle the eukaryotes in the following list: protists, vertebrates, viruses, fungi -
answersProtists, vertebrates, fungi
What is the most characteristic and defining sign of trichomoniasis in cattle? -
answersEarly abortion
Why are incidental (accidental) parasites often so pathogenic? - answersBecause their
presence can cause infections and disease in the host
The best descriptor for Naegleria fowleri? - answersFacultative parasite
,What's the difference between a facultative parasite and an accidental parasite? -
answersFacultative: Are not normally parasitic but can become so by ending up in the
wrong place
Accidental: When a parasite enters the body of species different from its normal host
Give an example of a protelean parasite. You can use general terms instead of naming
a particular species. - answersAmpulex dementor
-Only the immature stages are parasitic
Central and South American sloths have at least 2 species of moths associated with
them. These sloth moths live exclusively in sloth fur and travel (slowly) with their sloth.
They oviposit in sloth feces and their larvae feed on this material before searching for
other sloths to inhabit. The more moths a sloth has, the more algae is created on sloth
fur, which the sloth may then eat for added nutrients. With all this in mind, and based on
how we defined the terms below, what kind of symbiosis is most likely occurring? -
answersMutualism
Define "intermediate host". - answersThe host in which a parasite does not reach sexual
maturity
North Americans are essentially parasite-free. - answersFalse
Briefly, describe the typical treatment for the removal of an adult guinea worm. -
answersAn adult guinea worm will emerge from a blister on the body. The worm should
be pulled out slowly to avoid breaking the body and causing secondary infection. The
worm is best removed by wrapping the end around an object and tugging it out in small
intervals
You may not realize it, but you lay eyes on someone infected with trichomoniasis very
nearly every day. Why is this parasite so difficult to exterminate from the human
population? - answersMost of the time those who are infected are asymptomatic,
leading the parasite to become undetectable
Which of the following trichomonads is most likely a harmless commensal associated
with human mouths? - answersTrichomonas tenax
Your brother inherited a cattle ranch (15 cows and 2 bulls) but finds out it's infested with
trichomoniasis. He culls the young bull and buys a virgin bull to take his place, but
keeps the older bull that tested negative 6 times for trichomoniasis. He then turns the
bulls out and limits their time with the females so that he can pregnancy check them at
the proper interval.
Do you congratulate his efforts or prepare yourself to raise his children after his
inevitable financial ruin?
, Very briefly explain. - answersThe prevention of trichomoniasis is a good start. Turning
the bulls out and limiting their time with the females so that pregnancy cehcks can be
issued at certain intervals is proper procedure in this case. However, trichomoniasis
foetus can go undetected in bulls and are most likely to infect older bulls rather than
younger. In restrospect, both original bulls should have been culled and replaced.
Where are female trophozoites found in the life cycle of Pentatrichomonas hominis? -
answersLarge Intestine
Trichomonas tenax is a good indicator for fecal contamination. - answersFalse
Your roommate has moderate diarrhea and you prepare a slide demonstrating the
presence of both Chilomastix mesnili and Pentatrichomonas hominis. What is the most
likely cause of the diarrhea? - answersSome other reason/pathogen
Name the primary vector and the reservoir for Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. -
answersGlossina spp. (Tseste fly) and humans (resevoir)
Briefly describe the classic pathophysiology for infection with Trypanosoma brucei
rhodesiense.
First clinical sign:
Early stage:
Late stage:
Prognosis: - answers1. Winterbottom's sign
2. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea
3. Apathy, tiredness, extreme weight loss
4. Death around approximately 3 years w/ treatment
The definitive host will always be the vertebrate and the intermediate host will always be
an invertebrate. - answersFalse
Melarsoprol.
Used for:
Pros:
Cons:
The elimination of the Guinea worm would seem to be pretty straight-forward and yet
has proven to be far more problematic than expected. Name/list a reason this parasite
is still plaguing humans today. - answersBecause they are resilient and can go
undetected up to a year before emerging from a blister
Give 2 convincing pieces of evidence that demonstrate or suggest that parasites have
been with humans for a long time. - answers1. The presence of tapeworms being
associated in Egyptian mummies dated at around 3000-4000 BC.
2. The mention of the guinea worm in the Bible (Fiery serpents)
How exactly does Giardia cause harm in human hosts? - answersa. It often doesn't
b. It causes irritation secondary to feeding on mucosal secretions
Dermatobia hominis grabs unsuspecting flies and glues eggs onto their bodies. They
don't have to do this, but they sometimes do. The flies themselves don't seem to care
and aren't bothered by the presence of the eggs. What's the specific type of symbiosis
illustrated here? - answersPhoresis
What's the most common flagellate of the human digestive system? - answersGiardia
duodenalis = G. lamblia = G. intestinalis
Glossina fly species are notable for carrying what 2 closely related parasites
responsible for an illness in humans that begins with nonspecific discomfort and fever
and progresses to neurologic signs? - answersTrypanosoma brucei gambiense and
Trypanosoma brchei rhodesiense
Circle the eukaryotes in the following list: protists, vertebrates, viruses, fungi -
answersProtists, vertebrates, fungi
What is the most characteristic and defining sign of trichomoniasis in cattle? -
answersEarly abortion
Why are incidental (accidental) parasites often so pathogenic? - answersBecause their
presence can cause infections and disease in the host
The best descriptor for Naegleria fowleri? - answersFacultative parasite
,What's the difference between a facultative parasite and an accidental parasite? -
answersFacultative: Are not normally parasitic but can become so by ending up in the
wrong place
Accidental: When a parasite enters the body of species different from its normal host
Give an example of a protelean parasite. You can use general terms instead of naming
a particular species. - answersAmpulex dementor
-Only the immature stages are parasitic
Central and South American sloths have at least 2 species of moths associated with
them. These sloth moths live exclusively in sloth fur and travel (slowly) with their sloth.
They oviposit in sloth feces and their larvae feed on this material before searching for
other sloths to inhabit. The more moths a sloth has, the more algae is created on sloth
fur, which the sloth may then eat for added nutrients. With all this in mind, and based on
how we defined the terms below, what kind of symbiosis is most likely occurring? -
answersMutualism
Define "intermediate host". - answersThe host in which a parasite does not reach sexual
maturity
North Americans are essentially parasite-free. - answersFalse
Briefly, describe the typical treatment for the removal of an adult guinea worm. -
answersAn adult guinea worm will emerge from a blister on the body. The worm should
be pulled out slowly to avoid breaking the body and causing secondary infection. The
worm is best removed by wrapping the end around an object and tugging it out in small
intervals
You may not realize it, but you lay eyes on someone infected with trichomoniasis very
nearly every day. Why is this parasite so difficult to exterminate from the human
population? - answersMost of the time those who are infected are asymptomatic,
leading the parasite to become undetectable
Which of the following trichomonads is most likely a harmless commensal associated
with human mouths? - answersTrichomonas tenax
Your brother inherited a cattle ranch (15 cows and 2 bulls) but finds out it's infested with
trichomoniasis. He culls the young bull and buys a virgin bull to take his place, but
keeps the older bull that tested negative 6 times for trichomoniasis. He then turns the
bulls out and limits their time with the females so that he can pregnancy check them at
the proper interval.
Do you congratulate his efforts or prepare yourself to raise his children after his
inevitable financial ruin?
, Very briefly explain. - answersThe prevention of trichomoniasis is a good start. Turning
the bulls out and limiting their time with the females so that pregnancy cehcks can be
issued at certain intervals is proper procedure in this case. However, trichomoniasis
foetus can go undetected in bulls and are most likely to infect older bulls rather than
younger. In restrospect, both original bulls should have been culled and replaced.
Where are female trophozoites found in the life cycle of Pentatrichomonas hominis? -
answersLarge Intestine
Trichomonas tenax is a good indicator for fecal contamination. - answersFalse
Your roommate has moderate diarrhea and you prepare a slide demonstrating the
presence of both Chilomastix mesnili and Pentatrichomonas hominis. What is the most
likely cause of the diarrhea? - answersSome other reason/pathogen
Name the primary vector and the reservoir for Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. -
answersGlossina spp. (Tseste fly) and humans (resevoir)
Briefly describe the classic pathophysiology for infection with Trypanosoma brucei
rhodesiense.
First clinical sign:
Early stage:
Late stage:
Prognosis: - answers1. Winterbottom's sign
2. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea
3. Apathy, tiredness, extreme weight loss
4. Death around approximately 3 years w/ treatment
The definitive host will always be the vertebrate and the intermediate host will always be
an invertebrate. - answersFalse
Melarsoprol.
Used for:
Pros:
Cons:
