Essays on Protozoan

Analysis of Diseases

Overview Chikungunya (CHIK) refers to a re-emerging arboviral disease transmitted by the mosquitos Aedes aegypty and Aedes albopictus (Pialoux 318). The virus belongs to the genus Alphavirus and family Togaviridae. The word chikungunya derives from Makonde language (spoken in Tanzania and northern Mozambique), where it means “to walk bent over” (Halstead 557). This name refers to the main feature of both chronic and acute phase of the disease a change in posture causes by the arthritis and arthralgia (Charrel, Lamballerie and Raoult 769).

History

The disease gained its name after the outbreak in Tanganyika, the modern Tanzania in 1952. However, ...

- Vertebrates: These are higher organisms in the kingdom Animalia that have a distinct spinal cord, i.e., a vertebra (notochord). Vertebrates include bony fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

- Invertebrates: Invertebrates are organisms of the kingdom Animalia that do not have a vertebral column. Invertebrate organisms include insects, arthropods, molluscs, worms, annelids and protozoans.

- Biodiversity: Biodiversity is the variation of different life forms present in any specified region, area, niche, biome and even planet. The variation includes genetic variations, specie variations and ecosystem variations.

- Nexus: A nexus is a gap junction that acts as intracellular connections between two cells. Nexus ...

Chapter 4: Prokaryotic Cells and microorganisms

This chapter looks at the morphology, and pathogenic mechanisms of prokaryotic cells and microorganisms respectively. It discusses in detail the structural components, functions of the different organelles of prokaryotic cells as well as feeding and survival mechanisms of prokaryotic microorganisms.

Prokaryotic cells have a specialized cellular structure. Prokaryotes are unicellular and their cells have no cellular organelles, that is, a membrane does not surround their nucleus. These cells contain intricate phospholipids, sterols, and sphingolipids. They are typically 1-5µm in diameter .

Their outer surface is covered by glycocalyx, which is a gel like cellular envelope that provides prokaryotic cells with protection against ...

1. Observation and background information One of the major agents of global environmental change is deforestation. Deforestation is a consequence of land use change which is often affected by both biophysical and socioeconomic factors. Human decisions heavily influence land use in response to global markets. Geist and Lambin (143) noted that tropical forests are disappearing because of pressures coming from both local and regional scale having synergistic effects in different parts of the world. Human activities such as agricultural expansion, human population dynamics and agricultural policies have direct and indirect impact on forest cover change. Deforestation in the ...

Introduction

African trypanosomiasis or simply sleeping sickness is a vector-borne parasitic disease. It is also abbreviated as HAT, which stands for Human African trypanosomiasis. Sleeping sickness has two forms, depending on the type of the parasite that caused the infection (WHO, 2014). The first type is Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. It is found in 24 countries in west and central Africa. It accounts for over 98% of the reported cases. It is possible for someone to be infected with this type of the sleeping sickness for long durations without major signs or symptoms. When major symptoms do emerge, the patient would ...

Diagnosing Trichomonas Gallinae Infections in the Pink Pigeon Columba Mayeri: A Comparison of the InPouch TF Culture System

Flagellate protozoan parasite Trichomonas Gallinae is a flagellate protozoan parasite that has been known to infect columbiform birds such as doves and pigeons. This parasite has been identified as agent causing mortality in the endangered pink pigeon (Columbia mayeri) population in Mauritius . There have been various methods in detecting Trichomonas parasites, and some of these methods are applicable for Trichomonas Gallinae. These methods include OSOM rapid test ; wet mount microscopy; and InPouch TF culture system . The objective of the proposed research is to examine the applicability and effectiveness of molecular identification using DNA primer and PCR ; OSOM rapid test for ...

Introduction

Although scientists have made tremendous breakthrough in the field of medicine over the last few centuries, infections caused by protozoa, bacteria and virus continue to affect human population (Leonhard, Anabel, Florin-Christensen, and Morrison, 2012). One of such infection caused by protozoa is babesiosis, a disease that affects both human and animals. Protozoa exists in soil and aqueous environments, and their sizes range between 10-50µm. They have continued to cause many sickness, mutilation, death, and debilitation than other similar organisms. Epidemiology is the study of the frequency, causes, and health effects of disease in given populations. The science of epidemiology ...

Introduction

African sleeping sickness is also called as Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). This disease is fatal if left untreated and is endemic to Africa. HAT is caused by two sub species of the infectious protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.b.g) infections are prevalent in western and central Africa, while T.b rhodesiense (T.b.r) infections are common in eastern and southern Africa. The disease spread by the tsetse fly (Glossina spp.). The disease gets its name from one of the major characteristic symptoms of HAT: disruption of sleep cycle. The patient experiences uncontrollable urge to sleep during the day followed by ...

Abstract

Trichomonas gallinae, a flagellated protozoan, adversely affects the avian livestock, particularly the columbids. It causes an infection called necrotic ingluvitis and the disease can range from asymptomatic to lethal. The parasite affects the anterior gastrointestinal tract of the bird, forms granulomatous lesions, and blocks the oesophagus, making the bird starve, thus leading to death. The virulence of the strain varies with some strains causing up to 75% mortality. In UK, the infection was first recognized as an emerging infectious disease of British finches in summer of 2005. The sick dead birds exhibited signs of malaise such as lethargy and fluffed-up ...

Background information on Giardia

Giardia is luminal intestinal flagellated protozoan parasite. Giardia lamblia( also known as G. intestinalis or G. duodenalis) is the most common species that usually exhibits a typical fecal-oral lifecycle. Giardia lamblia) colonizes the upper portions of the small intestine and is the most common protozoan isolated from human stools. The prevalence is estimated at 200 million clinical cases per year [ CITATION Annd3 \l 1033 ]. Giardia lamblia exists in two forms, an active form called a trophozoite, and an inactive form called a cyst. The active trophozoite attaches to the lining of the small intestine with a "sucker" and is responsible for causing ...