parasitic ectoparasitic infectious disease

Parasitic Ectoparasitic Infectious Disease: A Description

A parasitic ectoparasitic infectious disease is a type of infection caused by parasites that live on or in the surface of their host's epidermis. These parasites, also known as ectoparasites, are typically arthropods such as insects and arachnids (spider-like bugs) that burrow into human skin and orifices.

Characteristics

• Ectoparasitic infections are confined to the upper layers of the skin.
• They are prevalent in resource-poor settings and are associated with important morbidity.
• The parasites can cause local skin disease, which may arise from the parasite bite or from other mechanisms such as feeding, dwelling, and reproducing in human skin and orifices.

Examples

• Scabies and pediculosis are examples of ectoparasitic infections that can cause large hospital outbreaks.
• Ticks, mites, and fleas are common ectoparasites that can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and typhus.

Causes and Transmission

• Ectoparasites can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or animal, or by vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks.
• The parasites can also be spread through contaminated food, water, and surfaces.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of ectoparasitic infections may include fever, fatigue, skin rashes, and neurological symptoms.
• In severe cases, the infection can lead to more serious complications such as sepsis and organ failure.

References

• [1] Most ectoparasites are arthropods. (Source: Search result 1)
• [2] The parasitic diseases in this group bear the characteristic that in parasite-host interactions are confined to the upper layers of the skin. (Source: Search result 2)
• [3] Ectoparasites can cause human disease in a number of different ways. Local skin disease can be the direct result of the parasite bite, or may arise from other mechanisms such as feeding, dwelling, and reproducing in human skin and orifices. (Source: Search result 5)

Diagnostic Tests for Parasitic Ectoparasitic Infectious Diseases

Parasitic ectoparasitic infectious diseases are caused by parasites that live on the surface of the body, such as lice, mites, and ticks. Diagnosing these infections can be challenging, but various diagnostic tests can help identify the presence of these parasites.

Types of Diagnostic Tests:

• Microscopic Examination: This test involves examining a sample of skin or other affected tissue under a microscope to look for signs of parasites, such as eggs, larvae, or adult parasites [7].
• Fecal Exam (Stool Culture): A fecal exam can help diagnose parasites that affect the intestines. Over several days, you'll collect stool samples to check for parasite eggs or larvae [8].
• Skin Scrapings: Skin scrapings can be examined under a microscope to look for signs of scabies, such as burrows, mites, eggs, or feces from affected areas [9].
• Immunological Assays: These tests detect the presence of antibodies in serum, which can indicate a parasitic infection. Examples include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and indirect hemagglutination tests (IHATs) [5].
• Molecular Biological Examination: This test involves analyzing DNA or RNA to identify the presence of parasites. It's a highly sensitive and specific method for diagnosing parasitic infections [2].

Other Diagnostic Procedures:

• Staining: A staining procedure can be used to highlight the presence of parasites in skin or other affected tissue.
• Detection of Parasite Antigens: This test involves detecting the presence of parasite antigens, which are substances produced by the parasite that can trigger an immune response.

Challenges and Future Directions:

• Sensitivity and Specificity: Some conventional methods of diagnosis have low sensitivity and/or specificity. Early infestations, sub-clinical, and carrier hosts often go undiagnosed, allowing infestations to spread [14].
• Rapid Tests: There is a pressing need for more rapid tests that don't sacrifice sensitivity. Research has focused on alternative methods to improve the diagnosis of parasitic diseases [13].

References:

[1] Providers diagnose parasitic infections by looking for parasites or signs of parasites in body fluids or tissues.

[2] The diagnosis of parasitic infections was once based on the identification of ova, larvae, or adult parasites in stool, blood, tissue or other samples or the presence of antibodies in serum, but diagnosis is being increasingly based on identification of parasite antigens or molecular tests for parasite DNA.

[3] Immunodiagnostic methods have had a large impact, with the emergence of highly sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for sarcoptic and psoroptic mange, with further improved tests in development.

[4] Diagnostic Procedures · Safety · Specimen collection · Specimen processing · Shipment · Staining · Microscopic examination · Detection of parasite antigens · Molecular ...

[5] by I Reiter-Owona — A variety of immunological assays can be used to detect the presence of antibodies in serum, which can indicate a parasitic infection.

[6] Laboratory Diagnosis of Parasitic Infections. In: Jameson J, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, ... is the major exception. Sensitive, specific serologic tests are invaluable in the diagnosis of amebiasis.

[7] Microscopic Examination: This test involves examining a sample of skin or other affected tissue under a microscope to look for signs of parasites, such as eggs, larvae, or adult parasites.

[8] Fecal Exam (Stool Culture): A fecal exam can help diagnose parasites that affect the intestines. Over several days, you'll collect stool samples to check for parasite eggs or larvae.

[9] Skin Scrapings: Skin scrapings can be examined under a microscope to look for signs of scabies, such as burrows, mites, eggs, or feces from affected areas.

[10] Immunological Assays: These tests detect the presence of antibodies in serum, which can indicate a parasitic infection. Examples include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and indirect hemagglutination tests (IHATs).

[11] Molecular Biological Examination: This test involves analyzing DNA or RNA to identify the presence of parasites. It's a highly sensitive and specific method for diagnosing parasitic infections.

[12] Other Diagnostic Procedures: Staining, detection of parasite antigens, and microscopic examination can also be used to diagnose parasitic ectoparasitic infectious diseases.

[13] Pressing needs include more rapid tests without sacrificing sensitivity, value-added tests, and point-of-care tests for both high- and low-resource settings. In recent years, research has been focused on alternative methods to improve the diagnosis of parasitic diseases.

[14] Some conventional methods of diagnosis can have low sensitivity and/or specificity. Early infestations, sub-clinical, and carrier hosts often go un-diagnosed, allowing infestations to spread.

[15] Laboratory Diagnosis of Parasitic Infections. In: Jameson J, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, ... is the major exception. Sensitive, specific serologic tests are invaluable in the diagnosis of amebiasis.

Treatment Options for Parasitic Ectoparasitic Infections

Parasitic ectoparasitic infections are caused by organisms that live on the surface of the skin, such as lice, mites, and fleas. These infections can be treated with various medications, which are classified into different categories based on their mechanism of action.

Topical Treatments

• Permethrin: A commonly used topical treatment for ectoparasitic infections, including scabies and pediculosis (lice infestation). It is usually applied to the entire body and left on for 8-14 hours before washing off. [4][12]
• Lindane: Another topical treatment option for ectoparasitic infections, which can be used in combination with permethrin or as a standalone treatment. However, its use has been limited due to concerns about toxicity and resistance. [12]
• Malathion: A third topical treatment option for ectoparasitic infections, which is often used in cases of scabies and pediculosis. It is usually applied to the affected area only. [14]

Oral Treatments

• Ivermectin: An oral medication that has been shown to be effective against various types of parasitic ectoparasitic infections, including onchocercosis (river blindness) and other endoparasites. It is usually taken once or twice a day for several days. [4][7]
• Albendazole: Another oral medication that is often used in combination with ivermectin to treat parasitic ectoparasitic infections, particularly those caused by helminths (intestinal worms). [6]

Combination Therapy

In some cases, a combination of topical and oral treatments may be necessary to effectively treat parasitic ectoparasitic infections. For example, permethrin cream or lotion may be used in conjunction with ivermectin tablets to treat scabies. The choice of treatment regimen will depend on the specific type of infection, its severity, and the individual's overall health condition.

Important Considerations

When treating parasitic ectoparasitic infections, it is essential to follow the recommended dosing schedule and duration of treatment carefully. Additionally, patients should be advised to avoid sharing personal items, such as towels or bedding, to prevent re-infestation.

The differential diagnosis for parasitic ectoparasitic infectious diseases involves identifying and ruling out other possible causes of the condition. According to various sources [4, 11, 13], the following conditions should be considered in the differential diagnosis:

• Cellulitis: a bacterial skin infection that can cause redness, swelling, and pain.
• Necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection: a severe bacterial infection that can cause tissue death and require immediate medical attention.
• Other skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis.

In the case of ectoparasitic diseases, the differential diagnosis may also include other parasitic infections, such as pediculosis pubis [2], which is caused by the parasite Phthirus pubis and can be transmitted through sexual contact.

It's worth noting that the diagnosis of parasitic ectoparasitic infectious diseases often requires a combination of clinical findings, laboratory tests, and sometimes imaging studies to confirm the presence of parasites or their effects on the host [6, 7].

The major classes of arthropods associated with human ectoparasitic diseases include arachnids (ticks, mites, and spiders) and insects (lice, chiggers, and flies) [15].