Parasitology, Microbiology and Infection Control

Medical Protozoology

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A branch of medical microbiology that deals with the study of Protozoa which are parasites of humans. The parasites of humans in the kingdom protozoa are now classified under 3 phyla: Sarcomastigophora (containing the amoebas and flagellates); Apicomplexa (containing the sporozoans); and Ciliophora (containing the ciliates).

Protozoa are ubiquitous in moist areas, including the human alimentary canal. Although most amoebas are free-living, several are found as commensal inhabitants of the intestinal tract in humans. One of these organisms Entamoeba histolytica may invade tissue and produce disease. The majority of ciliates are free living and seldom parasitize humans. Flagellates of the genus Trypanosomes and Leishmania are capable of invading the blood & tissue of humans, where they produce severe chronic illness. Others such as Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia lamblia, inhabit the urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts and initiate disease characterized by mild to moderate morbidity but no mortality.