Diseases Caused by Protozoa - Symptoms, Types & Treatment

There are millions of microorganisms in the world that are invisible to the naked eye. These organisms can easily enter the human body and cause severe health issues.

One such group of multicellular microorganisms is called protozoa that can infect the organs and cause organ failure, fever, vomiting, headache, muscle pain, abdominal pain, and cough.

Keep reading to learn about the diseases caused by protozoa and their treatment methods.

Diseases caused by protozoa in humans are transmitted through dirty water or mosquito bite. This microbe enters the body via these media and infects the organs, causing significant damage.

Protozoans are single-celled organisms that have membrane-bound organelles and nuclei. These eukaryotes can live independently or in symbiosis with other organisms.

These microorganisms mostly reside in resting cysts, which let them survive in dry conditions.

Toxoplasma Gondii, Isospora Belli, Blastocystis hominis, Balantidium coli, Naegleria spp and Acanthamoeba spp are the protozoa variants that spread diseases through water. Now, let’s check the list of 10 protozoan diseases in humans.

Here is a list of 10 diseases caused by Protozoa  commonly found in humans.

1. Malaria

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause seizures, yellow skin, coma and death. It occurs when a female Anopheles mosquito carries the protozoa and infects a human being by biting.

2. Amoebiasis

 Poor hygiene and living conditions can lead to this gastrointestinal infection.

3. Chagas disease

The Trypanosoma cruzi parasite causes this disease leading to redness and swelling in the infected area. Other symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, nausea, diarrhoea, and extreme fatigue.

4. Babesiosis

Parasite Babesia microti infects the red blood cells and damages the immune system of an individual.

5. Giardiasis

 The parasite giardia causes this infection in the intestinal tract.

6. Lambliasis

Giardia lamblia, a parasite of the small intestine, causes lambliasis. The protozoa transmitted through contaminated drinking water or food.

7. Cryptosporidiosis

Apicomplexan protozoan, a member of the Cryptosporidium genus, causes this disease. It can infect the lung and stomach.

8. Trichomoniasis

It is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Trichomoniasis Vaginalis. Both men and women may experience burning and itching in the affected areas.

9. Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis infects the eye, brain and lymph nodes causing significant infections.

10. Blastocystis

 It is an asymptomatic disease caused by protozoan Blastocystis hominis that infects the digestive tract.

Other diseases caused by Protozoa include -

• African Trypanosomiasis

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense cause African Trypanosomiasis in humans. The protozoa spread through the Tsetse fly bites.

• Amoebic dysentery

Entamoeba histolytica leads to diarrhoea and gut problems. This Amoeba can pass through the intestine walls and reach an individual’s bloodstream and infect his/her liver.

Once the types of protozoa-borne diseases are clear, let’s check the symptoms of protozoa infection to keep a tab over the bodily changes.

The signs of protozoan infections vary across the types of single-celled parasites causing infections and the organ they attack and manifest in.

However, some of the common symptoms include -

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain 
• Cough
• Diarrhoea
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Weight loss
• Nausea and extreme fatigue.

Certain parasitic infections can be asymptomatic, which can cause major issues in future. Hence, it is essential to consult a doctor and practice regular body checkups.

Ignoring protozoa-borne diseases can cause significant damage to the body. Some of the harmful effects of Protozoa infections are as follows - 

• Patients with African sleeping disease can develop severe skin rash and neurological problems.
• Ignoring symptoms of Malaria or treatment procedures can lead to significant harm. A patient can suffer convulsions, organ failure and issues in the circulatory system.
• Babesiosis can be life-threatening for patients with weak immune systems.
• The parasites can infect the brain, lungs and stomach.
• Sexually transmitted parasites can lead to smelly and white discharge from the reproductive organs.

Besides, it is also essential to know the risk factor linked with the said disease. This way, individuals prone to protozoa-borne disease can consult a doctor beforehand for prevention and treatment.

Individuals should know that multiple factors can lead to protozoa infections in humans. For instance, food choices or environmental conditions can lead to protozoan diseases.

The common risk factors include-

• Aged individuals are prone to protozoan infection due to poor immunity
• Unprotected intercourse
• Poor sanitation
• Unclean water consumption
• Lack of hygiene
• Eating uncooked or raw food
• Poor immunity system
• Contact with animals
• Individuals who live in tropical or subtropical or regularly travels to these regions 
• Seasonal changes

An earlier diagnosis can help individuals understand the causes of protozoa-borne and receive appropriate treatment.

Protozoa are quite challenging to identify with samples and culture. Pathologists can see them under a microscope by taking a sample of red blood cells or stool.

There are specific tests for the parasite that has infected the body. Some of the diagnostic procedures are -

• Antibody blood tests
• PCR test
• Stains of tissue
• Direct Isolation of a pathogen
• Multiple stool samples 
• Antibody test of the Blood 
• Biopsy of a lymph node 
• Blood tests
• Endoscopy or colonoscopy

Let’s check the treatment methods that healthcare professionals suggest for the said disease.

he treatment procedure depends on the type of protozoa that has caused the infection. 

However, here are some standard treatment processes that doctors suggest to treat protozoa-borne diseases. 

• A doctor would recommend antimalarial drugs like quinine, chloroquine and mefloquine to fight Malaria.
• They can prescribe metronidazole or tinidazole for amoebiasis. They suggest taking suramin, pentamidine and nifurtimox to cure African sleeping diseases.
• Treatment also depends on the drug resistance of protozoa and its impact.

The recovery period of most protozoan diseases depends on the patient's immunity. It can take up to two weeks to recover entirely without medications in some instances.

Individuals can also opt for preventive measures to avoid protozoa infection.

There are several steps to lower risk of contracting a parasitic infection. Some of these are as follows -

• Individuals should avoid touching cat litter and faeces during pregnancy.
• Avoid drinking water from ponds, streams or lakes.
• Eat only cooked food.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming.
• Boil and filter water before drinking.
• Use a condom during intercourse.
• Wash hands regularly.
• Clean car handles and public properties before touching them.

Hopefully, the above discussion on diseases caused by protozoa and their treatment procedure will help you understand this concept.

Individuals should consult a doctor when symptoms of protozoa infection occur. They can check the list of protozoan diseases and consult a doctor for detailed information on their infection.