Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 37: Bloating, Elisa, Dysentery
29 Mar 2017
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Protozoa (even non-pathogenic protozoa) infection indicates exposure to contaminated food or water stool tests for ova and parasites , need 3-5 specimens to rule out. Cysts are the infective form, trophozoites are the active form. Often associated with foreign travel or domestic camping. Symptoms may not develop until late in a trip or following return. Etiology of traveler"s diarrhoea: bacterial 85, parasitic (protozoal or helminthic) 5-15, viral <5% Cysts very small, need 5 negative stools to rule out. Soft, foul stools with flatus, bloating, gurgling, weight loss, fatigue. Symptoms range from non-dysenteric (alternating constipation/diarrhea, lower abdominal cramps, bloating, flatus-not foul smelling- and fatigue) to dysentery. Colon ulceration may lead to systemic spread via bloodstream to liver, lungs, brain. Amebic serology (blood test) is usually positive with invasive disease. In mild cases, a non-absorbed luminal drug (paromomycin or iodoquinol) is usually curative. Moderate to severe (dysenteric) symptoms require initial metronidazole followed by a luminal drug.
