MissAndree (missandree at aol.com) wrote:
: I recently came back from Guatemala (or should I say, *we* recently...)
: with giardias, amoebas (cystic?) as well as worms. What I would like to
: know is: are giardias amoebas, or an entirely different parasite? Do you
: get all of these from water (which I tried to avoid,) or do you get them
: from food, dirt, etc.
: I would appreciate any help offered...
This is what I have picked up in my Parasitology class:
A- Giardia and amoebas are different.
B- The only amoeba of real significance in humans is Entamoeba histolytica.
C- Classification
1- Both are in:
a- Kingdom Protista
b- Subkingdom Protozoa
c- Phylum Sarcomastigophora
2- Entamoeba histolytica
a- Subphylum Sarcodina (Amoebas)
3- Giardia
a- Subphylum Mastigophora (Flagellates)
D- Entamoeba affects the large intestine, Giardia the small intestine
E- Both are geneally passed on through the water supply, infected
generally through feces.
(Giardia is really cute under the microscope-- it looks like a grumpy
old man :) too bad it isn't really benign!) I'd draw it for you if I
could on this computer screen, but....
Look up a Parasitology book in your local library... they are
fascinating!
--
Becky Lynn
bnorum at lynx.dac.neu.edu
