Chapter 20, Problem 4CCS

A Protozoan Mystery

A 20-year-old student was admitted to his college’s student health center with fever and headaches shortly after beginning the fall semester. He had spent his summer working with an international aid organization in Nigeria and had returned to the United States only a week earlier. Gross examination revealed numerous insect bites and some swollen lymph nodes. The man had spent most of his summer outdoors in rural areas and had spent some time on African game reserves working with the families of local guides. He could not specifically remember receiving any of the bite wounds on his body, and he did not always use insect repellent in the field. The patient was admitted to the local hospital, where intermittent fever, headache, and swelling continued. Initial blood smears proved negative for malaria.

1. 1. What are some possible protozoan diseases the patient could have contracted in Africa?
2. 2. Can this disease be identified from the symptoms alone?
3. 3. Based on the pictured blood smear, what would you conclude about the cause of the disease?
4. 4. What would the treatment be if the patient had tested positive for malaria?
5. 5. What treatment would you now recommend?
6. 6. What prevention would you have suggested to this individual?
7. 7. Is there a local threat-could anyone in America contract this disease from this student?