Question

Protozoa which cause disease in human intestine

Answer 1

1. Giardia Lamblia
Diarrhoea, which is characterised by loose bowels, is caused by a flagellete parasite Giardia Lamblia intestinalis and a sporozoan Isopora hominis. Giardia intestinalis is a parasite in the small intestine and colon of man.

2. Entamoeba histolytica.
Amoebiasis, also known as amoebic dysentery, is caused by Entamoeba histolytica. Infection generally occurs through drinking water. The trophozoite of E. histolytica penetrates the wall of the colon, secretes histolytic enzymes and feeds upon its cells causing ulcers.

These ulcers rupture and discharge mucus and blood into the intestine that pass along with stools and results in amoebic dysentery. If the infection is allowed to continue the parasite may reach the liver, lungs and brain where it causes abscesses which prove fatal.

Answer 2

Protozoan infection. Protozoaninfections are parasitic diseases caused by organisms formerly classified in the Kingdom Protozoa. They include organisms classified in Amoebozoa, Excavata, and Chromalveolata. Examples include Entamoeba histolytica, Plasmodium (some of which cause malaria), and Giardia lamblia.