Chapter 12: Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, and Parasites

I. FUNGI (Mycology)

Diverse group of heterotrophs.

Many are ecologically important saprophytes (consume dead and decaying matter)

Others are parasites.

Most are multicellular, but yeasts are unicellular. Most are aerobes or facultative anaerobes.

Cell walls are made up of chitin (polysaccharide).

Over 100,000 fungal species identified. Only about 200 are human or animal pathogens.

Most human fungal infections are nosocomial and/or occur in immunocompromised individuals (opportunistic infections).

Fungal diseases in plants cause over 1 billion dollars/year in losses.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FUNGI
1. Yeasts

Unicellular fungi, nonfilamentous, typically oval or spherical cells. Reproduce by mitosis:

Fission yeasts: Divide evenly to produce two new cells (Schizosaccharomyces). Budding yeasts: Divide unevenly by budding (Saccharomyces).

Budding yeasts can form pseudohypha, a short chain of undetached cells.

Candida albicans invade tissues through pseudohyphae.

Yeasts are facultative anaerobes, which allows them to grow in a variety of environments.

When oxygen is available, they carry out aerobic respiration. When oxygen is not available, they ferment carbohydrates to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FUNGI (Continued)

2. Molds and Fleshy Fungi

Multicellular, filamentous fungi. Identified by physical appearance, colony characteristics, and reproductive spores.

Thallus: Body of a mold or fleshy fungus. Consists of many hyphae. Hyphae (Sing: Hypha): Long filaments of cells joined together. Septate hyphae: Cells are divided by cross-walls (septa). Coenocytic (Aseptate) hyphae: Long, continuous cells that are not divided by septa. Hyphae grow by elongating at the tips. Each part of a hypha is capable of growth. Vegetative Hypha: Portion that obtains nutrients. Reproductive or Aerial Hypha: Portion connected with reproduction. Mycelium: Large, visible, filamentous mass made up of many hyphae.

Characteristics of Fungal Hyphae: Septate versus Coenocytic

Mycelium: Large, Visible Mass of Hyphae

CHARACTERISTICS OF FUNGI (Continued)

Dimorphic Fungi

Can exist as both multicellular fungi (molds) and yeasts.

Many pathogenic species.

Mold form produces aerial and vegetative hyphae. Yeast form reproduces by budding.

Dimorphism in pathogenic fungi typically depends on temperature:

At 37oC: Yeast form. At 25oC: Mold form.

Dimorphism in nonpathogenic fungi may depend on other factors: Carbon dioxide concentration.

LIFE CYCLE OF FUNGI

Filamentous fungi can reproduce asexually by fragmentation of their hyphae.

Fungal spores are formed from aerial hyphae and are used for both sexual and asexual reproduction.
1. Asexual spores: Formed by the aerial hyphae of one organism. New organisms are identical to parent.

Conidiospore: Unicellular or multicellular spore that is not enclosed in a sac. Chlamydospore: Thick-walled spore formed within a hyphal segment.

Sporangiospore: Asexual spore formed within a sac (sporangium).

2. Sexual spores: Formed by the fusion of nuclei from two opposite mating strains of the same species. New organisms are different from both parents.

IMPORTANT DIVISIONS OF FUNGI

1. Anamorphs
Not

known to produce sexual spores.

Reproduce

asexually.

Recently reclassified.
Candida

albicans: Causes yeast infections of vagina in women. Opportunistic infections of mucous membranes in AIDS patients. carinii: Causes pneumonia in AIDS patients. Leading cause of death in AIDS patients. Originally classified as a protozoan.

Pneumocystis

Opportunistic Infection by Candida albicans in an AIDS Patient

Source: Atlas of Clinical Oral Pathology, 1999

2. Teleomorphs
Produce both sexual and asexual spores. A. Zygomycota (Conjugation Fungi)

Also known as bread molds.

Saprophytic molds with coenocytic hyphae (lack septa).

Asexual Reproduction: Used most of the time. Sporangiospore: Asexual spore enclosed within a sporangium or balloonlike sac at the end on an aerial hypha.

Sexual Reproduction: Occurs through conjugation, the joining of hypha of two different strains (plus and minus). Zygospores: Sexual spores are enclosed in a thick wall.

Generally not pathogens.

Rhizopus nigricans: Common black bread mold. May cause opportunistic infections in diabetes patients

Life Cycle of a Zygomycete: Black Bread Mold (Rhizopus) Reproduces Asexually and Sexually

Reproductive Structures of Zygomycete (Rhizopus) Sporangia (asexual) and Zygospore (sexual)

IMPORTANT DIVISIONS OF FUNGI B. Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)

Molds with septate hyphae and some yeasts. Asexual Reproduction: Conidia means dust. Conidiospores not enclosed in a sac. Become airborne easily. Form chains (broom-like structures). Sexual Reproduction: Ascospores enclosed in a sac-like structure (ascus). Include common antibiotic producing fungi and yeasts, and several human pathogens.

Penicillium notatum (Produces penicillin) Saccharomyces (Brewers yeast) Trychophyton (Athletes foot) Aspergillus (Carcinogenic aflatoxin in peanuts), Blastomyces (Respiratory infections) Histoplasma capsulatum (Respiratory and systemic infections)

Life Cycle of Eupenicillium (Ascomycete) Reproduces Asexually and Sexually

Athletes Foot (Tinea pedis)

Source: Doctorfungus Corporation, 2000

Severe nail infection with Trichophyton rubrum in a 37-year-old male AIDS patient. Source: Intern. J. Dermatol. 31(1992): 453.

Disseminated Histoplasma capsulatum, skin infection. Source: Microbiology Perspectives, 1999.

C. Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)

Have septate hyphae. Include mushrooms, toadstools, rusts, and smuts.

Sexual Reproduction: Produce basidiospores: Spores formed externally on a club shaped sexual structure or base called basidium.
Asexual Reproduction: Through hyphae. Examples:

Cryptococcus neoformans: Causes opportunistic respiratory and CNS infections in AIDS patients. Amanita: Mushroom produces lethal toxins to humans. Claviceps purpurea: Produces ergot toxin in wheat and rye.

Life Cycle of a Basidiomycete Mushrooms are Produced Sexually

NUTRITIONAL ADAPTATIONS OF FUNGI

Fungi absorb their food, rather than ingesting it.

Fungi grow better at a pH of 5, which is too acidic for most bacteria. Almost all molds are aerobic. Most yeasts are facultative anaerobes. Fungi are more resistant to high osmotic pressure than bacteria. Fungi can grow on substances with very low moisture. Fungi require less nitrogen than bacteria to grow. Fungi can break down complex carbohydrates (wood, paper), that most bacteria cannot.

FUNGAL DISEASES
Mycosis: Any fungal disease. Tend to be chronic because fungi grow slowly.

Mycoses are classified into the following categories:

I. Systemic mycoses: Fungal infections deep within the body. Can affect a number if tissues and organs.

Usually caused by fungi that live in the soil and are

inhaled. Not contagious. Examples:

Histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum): Initial infection in lungs. Later spreads through blood to most organs. Coccidiomycosis (Coccidioides immites): Resembles tuberculosis.

Systemic Mycosis: Histoplasmosis

Disseminated Histoplasma capsulatum, lung infection. Source: Microbiology Perspectives, 1999.

FUNGAL DISEASES (Continued)

II. Cutaneous mycoses: Fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails.

Secrete keratinase, an enzyme that degrades keratin. Infection is transmitted by direct contact or contact with infected hair (hair salon) or cells (nail files, shower floors). Examples:

Ringworm (Tinea capitis and T. corporis) Athletes foot (Tinea pedis) Jock itch (Tinea cruris)

Cutaneous Mycosis

Ringworm skin infection: Tinea corporis Source: Microbiology Perspectives, 1999

Cutaneous Mycosis: Jock Itch

Ringworm skin infection: Tinea cruris Source: DermNet.com

Cutaneous Mycosis

Candida albicans infection of the nails. Source: Microbiology Perspectives, 1999.

FUNGAL DISEASES (Continued)

III. Subcutaneous mycoses: Fungal infections beneath the skin.

Caused by saprophytic fungi that live in soil or on vegetation. Infection occurs by implantation of spores or mycelial fragments into a skin wound. Can spread to lymph vessels.

IV. Superficial mycoses: Infections of hair shafts and superficial epidermal cells. Prevalent in tropical climates.

FUNGAL DISEASES (Continued)

Opportunistic mycoses: Caused by organisms that are generally harmless unless individual has weakened defenses:

AIDS, cancer, transplant, and diabetic patients Individuals treated with broad spectrum antibiotics Very old or very young individuals (newborns).

Examples:

Aspergillosis: Inhalation of Aspergillus spores. Yeast Infections or Candidiasis: Caused mainly by Candida albicans. Part of normal mouth, esophagus, and vaginal flora.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF FUNGI

25-50% of harvested fruits and vegetables are damaged by fungi.

Fungal infections of plants are commonly called rots, rusts, blights, wilts, and smuts.

Beneficial fungi:

Candida oleophila: Prevents fungal growth on harvested fruits.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Used to make bread and wine.

Genetically engineered yeast strains are used to make proteins (Hepatitis B vaccine). Taxomyces: Produces anticancer drug taxol. Trichoderma: Produces cellulase. Used to make fruit juice. Saccharomyces boulardi: Used as probiotic because it kills other yeast.

II. ALGAE

Most are simple eucaryotic photosynthetic autotrophs. Unicellular or multicellular. Kingdom Protista. Most are found in the ocean or other bodies of water. Need water for support, reproduction, and nutrition. Absorb nutrients from the water over entire surface. Reproduction: All reproduce asexually. Some can also reproduce sexually. Most are not pathogens. A few produce toxins that are harmful to humans.

II. ALGAE

Vegetative Structures of multicellular algae:

Thallus:

Body. Lacks conductive tissue. Anchor alga to rock.

Holdfasts: Stipes:

Hollow, stem-like structures. Does not support Leaf-like structures. Floating, gas-filled bladder.

weight.
Blades: Pneumatocyst:

Comparison of Algae and Plant Structure

DIVISIONS OF ALGAE

Green algae: May be unicellular or multicellular. Have cellulose cell walls, contain chlorophyll a and b, and store starch like plants. Most are microscopic. Live close to water surface. Believed to be the ancestors of terrestrial plants.

Brown Algae or Kelp: Macroscopic (up to 50 m long). Most are found in coastal waters, at intermediate depths. Rapid growth. Can be harvested regularly. Red Algae: Live at greater ocean depths than other algae. Red pigments allow them to absorb blue light that penetrates deepest into ocean. Agar is extracted from many red algae. Some produce lethal toxins.

Seaweed is a Multicellular Brown Alga (Laminaria)

DIVISIONS OF ALGAE (Continued)

Diatoms: Unicellular or filamentous algae with complex cell walls with silica or calcium.
Two parts

of cell wall fit together like Petri dish.

Distinctive patterns are used for identification. Store energy in form of oil.
Some

diatoms can cause neurological disease (memory

loss and diarrhea) in people who eat mussels, due to domoic acid intoxication.
Fossil

deposits of diatoms (diatomaceous earth) are

used as filtering agents and abrasives in several

industries.

Dinoflagellates (Plankton): Unicellular free-floating algae. Rigid structure due to cellulose in plasma membrane.
Some dinoflagellates produce neurotoxins, which kill fish, marine mammals, and humans.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning: Consumption of clams and mussels that have eaten dinoflagellates (Alexandrium spp.) that produce neurotoxin. Red Tide: Caused by large concentrations of Alexandrium. Avoid harvesting mollusks and fish during red tide.

Euglenoids: Unicellular, flagellated algae. Semi-rigid plasma membrane (pellicle). Most have anterior red eye spot. Frequently studied with protozoa, because lack a cell wall.

Euglenoids are Flagellated, Unicellular Algae

Pathogenic Algae
Oomycota

(Water Molds): Most are decomposers. Form cottony masses on dead animals in water. classified as fungi (zygomycetes).
Phytophthora

Previously

infestans: Caused great potato famine in mid-1800s. Over 1 million people died from starvation in Ireland; many immigrated to the U.S.

Also infects soybean, potatoes, and cocoa.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytophthora_infestans

Ecological Importance of Algae

Important part of the food chain in aquatic ecosystems because they fix carbon dioxide into organic molecules that can be used by heterotrophs. 80% of the earths oxygen is believed to be produced by planktonic algae. Algal blooms are indicators of water pollution.

Grow rapidly in water with high concentrations of organic material (sewage or industrial waste).

Petroleum and natural gas reserves were formed primarily from diatoms and plankton. Many unicellular algae are symbionts in animals.

III. LICHENS

Combination of a green alga (or cyanobacterium) and a fungus. Mutualistic relationship in which each partner benefits.

Alga: Provides nutrients by photosynthesis to fungus. Fungus: Provides attachment and protection from desiccation.

20,000 species of lichens occupy unique habitats, in which either fungi or algae could not survive alone: rocks, cement, rooftops, trees, and newly exposed soil. Grow very slowly, secreting acids that break down rocks.

Accumulate nutrients needed for plant growth.

Sensitive to air pollution. Major food source for tundra herbivores (caribou and reindeer).

Lichens: Combinations of Fungi and Green Algae (or Cyanobacterium)

IV. SLIME MOLDS

Have both fungal and animal characteristics.

Amoeboid stage Produce spores like fungi

Eucaryotes, classified as protists.

Cellular and plasmodial (acellular) slime molds.

Life Cycle of Cellular Slime Molds:

Amoeba stage: Germinate from a spore. Slug stage: Many amoebas aggregate and sheath forms. Migration. Fruiting body: Releases spores which germinate into amoebas.

Plasmodial (Acellular) Slime Molds

Mass of protoplasm with many nuclei (plasmodium). Capable of sexual reproduction.

Life Cycle of a Cellular Slime Mold

V. PROTOZOA

Unicellular, chemoheterotrophic, eucaryotic organisms of kingdom Protista (3-2000 mm). Protozoan means first animal. 20,000 species, only a few are pathogens. Most are free-living organisms that inhabit water and soil. Some live in association with other organisms as parasites or symbionts. Reproduce asexually by fission, budding, or schizogony. Some exhibit sexual reproduction (e.g.: Paramecium).

Trophozoite: Vegetative stage which feeds upon bacteria and particulate nutrients.
Cyst: Some protozoa produce a protective capsule under adverse conditions (toxins, scarce water, food, or oxygen).

V. PROTOZOA (Continued)
Nutrition

Most are heterotrophic aerobes. Intestinal protozoa can grow anaerobically. Some ingest whole algae, yeast, bacteria, or smaller protozoans. Others live on dead and decaying matter. Parasitic protozoa break down and absorb nutrients from their hosts. Some transport food across the membrane. Others have a protective covering (pellicle) and required specialized structures to take in food.

Ciliates take in food through a cytostome.

Digestion takes place in vacuoles. Waste may be eliminated through plasma membrane or an anal pore.

Medically Important Protozoa

1. Amoeboflagellates (Phylum Sarcomastigophora) Move using pseudopods (false feet) or flagella. A. Amoebas (Subphylum Sarcodina) Move by extending blunt, lobelike projections (pseudopods). Amoebas engulf food with pseudopods and phagocytize it. Several species cause amoebic dysenteries of varying degrees of severity.

Entamoeba hystolytica: Feeds on red blood cells. Produces dysentery and extraintestinal cysts. Dientamoeba fragilis: Found in 4% of humans. Usually commensal. Can cause chronic, mild diarrhea. Meningoencephalitis: Caused by Naegleria fowleri. Penetrate nasal mucosa of swimmers in warm waters. Mortality rate almost 100%. Keratitis: Caused by Acanthamoeba. Can cause blindness. Associated with use of contact lenses.

Other diseases include:

B. Flagellates (Subphylum Mastigophora) Move by one or more whiplike flagella. Some parasitic flagellates have up to eight flagella. Most are spindle shaped with flagella projecting from anterior end. Outer membrane is a tough pellicle. Food is ingested through an oral groove or cytosotome. Important pathogens:

Trichomonas vaginalis: Causes genital and urinary infections. Has undulating membrane. Lacks a cyst stage. Transmitted sexually or by fomites. Giardia lamblia: Causes a persistent intestinal infection (giardiasis) with diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, and cramps. In U.S. most common cause of waterborne diarrhea. About 7% of U.S. population are healthy carriers. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense: Hemoflagellate (blood parasite). Causes African sleeping sickness. Transmitted by Tse-Tse fly. Trypanosoma cruzi: Hemoflagellate that causes Chagas disease, a cardiovascular disease common in Texas and Latin America.
Transmitted by kissing bug living in mud houses or blood transfusions. Can cause heart damage (heart failure, arrythmia over several years).

Medically Important Protozoa (Continued)

2. Apicomplexans (Phylum Apicomplexa)

Not motile in their mature form. Obligate intracellular parasites. Have specialized organelles at tip (apex) of cells that penetrate host tissues. Complex life cycles. May have more than one host. Definitive host: Harbors sexually reproducing form. Intermediate host: In which asexual reproduction

occurs.

Medically Important Protozoa (Continued)

2. Apicomplexans (Phylum Apicomplexa)

Important pathogens:

Plasmodium vivax and falciparum: Cause malaria in humans (intermediate host). Initially treated with quinine, drug resistance is a major problem today.

Major cause of worldwide mortality: Kill 3 million people/year and infect 500 million.
Transmitted by Anopheles mosquito (definitive host). DDT was used extensively in 1960s in an attempt to eradicate the mosquito vector. Successful vaccine not available yet.

Life Cycle of Plasmodium spp. the Infectious Agent of Malaria

Medically Important Protozoa (Continued)

2. Apicomplexans (Phylum Apicomplexa)

Important pathogens:

Toxoplasma gondii: Causes toxoplasmosis in humans. Causes blindness and lymphatic infections in adults. Dangerous to pregnant women, causes severe neurological defects in unborn children. Cats are part of life cycle, oocysts excreted in feces. Contact with infected feces or meat are means of transmission.

Cryptosporidium: Causes respiratory and gallbladder infections in immunosuppressed individuals. Found in intestines of

mammals and water. Major cause of death in AIDS patients.

Cyclospora cayetensis: New parasite (1996) caused diarrhea associated with raspberries.

Medically Important Protozoa (Continued)

3. Ciliates (Phylum Ciliophora)

Move and obtain food using cilia.

Only known human pathogen is Balantidium coli, which

causes a severe intestinal infection in pigs and humans.

4. Microsporans (Phylum Mycrospora)

Obligate intracellular parasites, lack mitochondria and microtubules.

Discovered in 1984 to cause chronic diarrhea and

conjunctivitis, mainly in AIDS patients.

Paramecium caudatum is a Ciliated Protozoan

Conjugation Between Opposite Mating Strains

VI. HELMINTHS (WORMS)

Characteristics

Eucaryotic, multicellular animals that usually have digestive, circulatory, nervous, excretory, and reproductive systems. Worms with bilateral symmetry, head and tail, and tissue differentiation (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm).

Parasitic helminths spend most or all of their lives in host and usually have the following specializations:

May lack a digestive system. Absorb nutrients from hosts food, body fluids, or tissues.

Have a reduced nervous system.

Means of locomotion is reduced or absent. Complex reproductive system. Individuals produce many eggs that can infect another host.

VI. HELMINTHS (Continued)

Two main groups (phyla) Platyhelminths (Flatworms) Nematoda (Roundworms) Life Cycle Extremely complex Intermediate hosts harbor larval (developmental) stage. Definitive host harbors adult stage. Sexual reproduction strategies:

Dioecious: Male and female reproductive organs are found in separate individuals. Monoecious (Hermaphroditic): One animal has both male and female sex organs. Most hermaphrodites copulate with other animals, a few copulate with themselves.

VI. HELMINTHS (Continued)

I. Platyhelminths (Flatworms)
Flattened from front to back. Include: 1. Trematodes or Flukes Leaf shaped bodies Ventral and oral suckers for attachment and sucking fluids from host. Some can absorb nutrients through their cuticle. Named for host tissues in which adult lives.

Blood Fluke (Schistosoma spp.): Cause schistosomiasis which affects over 400,000 immigrants in U.S. and 200 million people worldwide. Cause damage to blood vessels, liver, and many other organs. Live in waters contaminated with feces, burrow through skin of human and enter the circulatory system, particularly abdominal and pelvic veins.

Free-Living Flatworm Planaria

Life Cycle of Blood Fluke (Schistosoma)

VI. HELMINTHS (Continued)

I. Platyhelminths (Flatworms) 1. Trematodes or Flukes

Asian Liver Fluke (Clonorchis sinensis): Infests gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, causes biliary cirrhosis and jaundice. Cannot be transmitted in U.S. because intermediate hosts are not available. Lung Fluke (Paragonius westermani): Lives in bronchioles of humans and other animals. 12 mm long. Infection from eating undercooked crayfish.

Asian Liver Fluke (Clonorchis sinensis)

Source: http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/a-h.html

VI. HELMINTHS (Continued)

I. Platyhelminths (Flatworms) 2. Cestodes or Tapeworms

Long flat bodies Intestinal parasites Lack a digestive system, absorb food through cuticle. Body Organization: Head or scolex has suckers for attachment. Body is made up of segments called proglottids.

Each proglottid has both male and female reproductive organs.

Proglottids farthest from head are mature and contain many fertilized eggs.

Cestode (Tapeworm) Body Structure: Scolex and Proglottids

VI. HELMINTHS (Continued)

I. Platyhelminths (Flatworms) Cestodes or Tapeworms (Continued) Parasitic human tapeworms:

Beef Tapeworm (Taenia saginata): Human is definitive host. Can reach up to 6 meters in length, scolex is 2 mm long with hundreds of proglottids. Infection occurs by ingestion of contaminated, undercooked beef (measly beef). Pork Tapeworm (Taenia solium): Human is definitive host. Infection can occur from eating infected undercooked pork (rare in the U.S.) or from human to human contact. May cause cysticercosis. Echinococcus granulosus: Dogs and coyotes are definitive hosts. Humans may become infected by contact with dog feces or saliva.

Cysticercosis: Pork Tapeworm

http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/cysticercosis.html http://www.thamburaj.com/cysticercosis.htm

VI. HELMINTHS (Continued)

II. Nematodes (Roundworms)

Cylindrical body tapered at each end. Have a complete digestive system: mouth, intestine, and anus. Body is covered by tough cuticle that resists drying and crushing. Most species are dioecious: separate males and females.

Males are smaller than females and have one or two spicules on posterior end.

Over 90,000 known species. Most are free-living. Only about 50 are human parasites. Life cycle of parasitic nematodes is simpler than that of flatworms. Infections can be caused by eggs or larvae.

Comparison of Body Organization of Flatworms, Roundworms, and Earthworms

Flatworm

Roundworm

Earthworm

II. Nematodes (Roundworms) Continued

Infectious eggs

Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis): Spends entire life in human host. Adults live in large intestine. Female lays eggs in perianal region which causes itching. Up to 90% of children are infected through contaminated clothes or bedding. Infection usually disappears after a few years. Ascaris (Ascaris lumbricoides): Large nematode, up to 30 cm. Dioecious with sexual dimorphism. Live in small intestines of humans, horses, and pigs. Eggs can survive in soil for long time. Adult Hookworm (Necator americanus): Live in small intestine of humans, eggs are excreted in feces. Enter host by penetrating skin. Enters bloodstream, travels to lungs, swallowed in sputum. Avoided by wearing shoes. Trichinosis (Trichinella spiralis): Reproduce sexually in small intestine of humans. Obtained from eating undercooked pork. Larvae enter blood vessels and form cysts throughout body. Anisakines (Wriggly worms): Infected fish and squid. Killed by freezing and cooking.

Infectious larvae

Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)

Source: http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/a-h.html

Pinworm Eggs (Enterobius vermicularis)

Source: http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/a-h.html

Ascaris (Ascaris lumbricoides)

Source: http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/a-h.html

Head of Ascaris (Ascaris lumbricoides)

Notice three lips characteristic of Ascaris Source: www. soton.ac.uk/~djab/ascaris.html

VII. Arthropods as Vectors

Segmented bodies, hard exoskeleton (chitin), and jointed legs. Largest phylum in animal kingdom, over 1 million species. Several classes of arthropods:

Arachnida (8 legs): Spiders, mites, and ticks. Crustacea (4 antennae): Crabs, crayfish. Most are aquatic. Insecta (6 legs): Largest group of living organisms on earth. Include bees, flies, lice, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and fleas.

Arthropods that transmit microbial diseases are called vectors. How do arthropod vectors transport microbes?

Mechanically: Houseflies and cockroaches. Hosts: Tick vectors of Lyme disease. Mosquito vectors of malaria and encephalitis.

Arachnids are Arthropods with Eight Legs

Lyme Disease Vector

Spotted Mountain Fever and Tularemia Vector

Source: www. soton.ac.uk/~djab/ascaris.html

Scabies (Sarcoptes scabei)

Infestation of the skin by microscopic mite (arachnid). Transmission: Prolonged skin to skin contact and fomites (e.g.: clothing and bedding). Common during water shortages. Symptoms: Appear between 1 day to 6 weeks after exposure. Vesicular or pimple like lesions and rashes of the skin
Intense itching worse at night Allergic reaction to mites Bleeding and scabbing from scratching Sores on body caused by scratching may become infected Norwegian scabies may occur in immunocompromised individuals with extensive scaling and crusting

Treatment: Several creams and lotions have been approved by FDA to treat mite infestations. Risky for pregnant women.

SCABIES (Sarcoptes scabiei)

Scabies rash

Scabies mite in human skin (SEM)

Source: www. stanford.edu

Insects are Arthropods with Six Legs

Tse-tse Fly: Host Vector of African Sleeping Sickness

Source: www. soton.ac.uk/~djab/ascaris.html

Head Lice (Pediculosis)

Caused by a parasitic insect Pediculus humanus capitis. Transmission: Head-to-head contact or sharing personal items (clothing, brushes, towels). Most common in children ages 3-11 and their families. Symptoms: Tickling sensation on scalp, itching, irritability, sores, and scratching. Life Stages

Egg/Nit: Yellow or white, oval shaped, firmly attached to hair shaft. Females lay eggs near scalp (1/4 inch). Hatch in 8 to 9 days. Nymph: Looks like a small louse and feeds on blood. Matures in 9 to 12 days.

Adult: Has six legs with claws, size of sesame seed, tan to gray color. Feed on blood. Females can lay up to 100 eggs and live up to 30 days on head. Lice die within 1-2 days after falling off head.

Treatments: Fine tooth combs, chemical treatments, shaving hair, and hot air treatment (blow dryer device).

Head Lice (Pediculus humanus capitis)

Egg/Nit, Nymph, and Adult

Adult louse claws

Source: www. cdc.gov/NCIDOD/PARASITES/lice

Crustaceans are Arthropods with Four Antennae