Recognise the various sources of protozoal and helminthic infections of the gastrointestinal tract

Helminthic infections are usually transmitted to humans via soil or in the case of

Strongyloides stercoralis it can burrow into and through skin - enter circulation - lungs - small intetsine. This cycle is then repeated infection can last for years.

eggs for helminthic infections can also be found on leafy vegetables and greens

the way to help prevent this is - good sanitation - washing veg (only with uninfected water, if you have infected water and wash the vegetables then you risk adding eggs to the veg)

helminths are common in developing countries where sanitation is not great

C. parvum

is a microscopic parasite which is water borne, it is the biggest issue for water borne pathogens in the UK and other developed countries, it is naturally resistant to chlorine and so that does not help to prevent it instead massive UV lights are used etc.

it contains thick and thin oocysts

thick = more durable and so they go on into the external environment and are more able to survive

thin = better at auto-infection and moving around and keeping up a stable infection within the host it is already in

Diagnosis

Microscopy of stool samples • Acid fast • Fluorescent Antibodies • ELISA • PCR