Sacromastigophora
Sacromastigophora is a phylum of very divergent Eukaryotes. They all have these features in common:
- Endemic to US.
- Facultative Anaerobes (carbohydrate metabolism is anaerobic)
- Lack mitochondria
- Extracellular Parasites. They dwell in the lumen and do not invade host cells. instead they adhere to the plasma membrane of host cells. They are cytotoxic by inflicting mechanical damage to host tissues)
- Replicate and divide within the host by binary fission
- Can be cultivated in axenic cultures in the laboratory
- All are killed by Metronidazole (Flagyl) - a drug that selectively kills anaerobic cells
| Organism | Disease | Major Symptoms | Subphylum | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giardia lamblia | Giardiasis | Diarrhea/Dysentery | Mastigophora | Primary agent of non-bacterial diarrhea in US. |
| Entamoeba histolytica | Amoebiasis | Diarrhea/Liver Absess | Sarcodina | 1-5% infected in US. |
| Trichomonas vaginalis | Trichomoniasis | Vaginitis | Mastigophora | 2-7 million infections annually in US. |
| G. lamblia | E. histolytica | T. vaginalis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morphology | Flagellate | Amoeba | Flagellate/Amoeba |
| Life Stages | Trophozoite Resistant Cyst | Trophozoite Resistant Cyst | Trophozoite Only No Cyst Form |
| Host | Many Mammals | Human Only | Human Only |
| Transmission | Ingestion of Cyst | Ingestion of Cyst | Sexual Intercourse |
| Disease | Diarrhea Dysentery | Diarrhea Liver Abscess | Vaginitis, PROM |