Parasitology Practical Questions (total marks 100)Using the information in the paragraph below you are expected to answer questions relating to unknown parasite A.Parasite A is an intracellular organism but can also be found free in the blood and peritoneal exudate. It can invade a wide array of cells but not red blood cells. Its definitive host is cat. Mammals and birds are intermediate hosts. Infection can remain in the body for life, commonly in an inactive form. In immunocompromised individuals, i t can reactivate. Question 1: What is the species name of parasite A? (5 marks)
Question 2: How is parasite A acquired by humans? (5 marks)
Questions 3: Draw and label a diagram to show the life cycle of parasite A in definitive and intermediate hosts (15 marks).
Question 4: Draw and label a diagram to show the rapidly growing form of parasite A. (5 marks).
Question 5: How does the asexual form of parasite A multiply? Draw and label a diagram to illustrate this. (15 marks).
Question 6: Serologic analysis of a serum sample of a pregnant woman infected with parasite A can potentially generate one of the results summarised in each row as shown in Table 1 below. For each row, comment on the clinical relevance of the positive or negative IgG and IgM result, and add clinical recommendations (20 marks; 5 marks per row).Table 1: IgM resultIgG resultClinical relevance and recommendationsNegativeNegativeA (write your answer below)NegativePositiveB (write your answer below)Positive or ambiguousNegativeC (write your answer below)Positive or ambiguousPositiveD (write your answer below)
Question 7: Name two serological assays that can generate the results in the Table 1. (5 marks).
Question 8: Explain the principle behind one of the serological assays indicated in Question 7 above. (15 marks). Question 9: Devise step by step instructions for the serological assay indicated in Question 8. (15 marks).
