Autoinfection

Autoinfection

This term autoinfection refers to the ability of certain parasites, particularly helminths, to establish a life cycle within the host, eliminating the need for an intermediate stage, and secondary hosts. Organisms capable of this "Strongyloides stercoralis", "Enterobius vermicularis" and "Hymenolepis nana".

"Strongyloidiasis", for example involves premature transformation of noninfective larvae in infective larvae, which can then penetrate the intestinal mucosa (internal autoinfection) or the skin of the perineal area (external autoinfection). Infection can be maintained by repeated migratory cycles for the remainder of the person's life.
Hyperinfection syndrome is most often present in immunocompromised hosts (HIV/AIDS, diabetes, people with autoimmune diseases being given immunosuppressor medication) and is notable for generating tremendous worm burdens and can generate life threatening infestations.

Massive transit of the larvae in intestinal autoinfection, causes erosions of the epithelial lining and subsequent escape of enteric bacteria into the systemic circulation. "Strongyloidiasis" must be included in differential diagnosis when mixed bacteremias (two or more organisms) and eosinophilia are coincident.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • autoinfection — [ôt΄ōin fek′shən] n. infection from a source within the organism itself, as from harmful bacteria previously present but not in contact with vulnerable areas …   English World dictionary

  • autoinfection — autoinfekcija statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Organizmo apsikrėtimas patogeniniais mikroorganizmais arba parazitais. atitikmenys: angl. autocontagion; autoinfection vok. Autoansteckung, f; Autoinfektion, f rus. автоинфекция …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • autoinfection — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1903 reinfection with larvae produced by parasitic worms already in the body …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • autoinfection — n. [Gr. autos, self; L. inficere, to taint] Infection of a host by microorganisms or parasites produced within or upon the body of the same individual host …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • autoinfection — /aw toh in fek sheuhn/, n. Pathol. 1. reinfection by a pathogen that is already in the body. 2. infection caused by transfer of a pathogen from one part of the body to another. [1900 05; AUTO 1 + INFECTION] * * * …   Universalium

  • autoinfection — noun The infection of a primary host with a parasite, particularly a helminth, in such a way that the complete life cycle of the parasite happens in a single organism, without the involvement of another host. See Also: autoinfect …   Wiktionary

  • autoinfection — 1. Reinfection by microbes or parasitic organisms that have already passed through an infective cycle. 2. Self infection by direct contagion as with pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) eggs passed in the infectious state and transmitted by… …   Medical dictionary

  • autoinfection — n. infection whose source is within the body …   English contemporary dictionary

  • autoinfection — au·to·infection …   English syllables

  • autoinfection — au•to•in•fec•tion [[t]ˌɔ toʊ ɪnˈfɛk ʃən[/t]] n. pat infection caused by a pathogen that is already in one s own body • Etymology: 1900–05 …   From formal English to slang

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”