PARASITIC INFECTIONS
Concept and Etiology: Parasitic infections can spread throughout the body in many ways such as
water, food, waste, soil, and blood (Marcin,2018). According to Xu et al (1995), the relation of the
musculoskeletal system to parasites has its own peculiarity. The large surface area of the overlying
skin is an open entrance gate, particularly during swimming in polluted ponds and swamps. Lactic
acid production in the muscles is hostile to parasites and the production of toxins enables the
parasites to disrupt the integrity of tissue barriers. The different pathway into musculoskeletal
system direct skin penetration, oral route, lymphatic route. Epidermal parasitic skin diseases are a
heterogeneous category of infectious diseases in which parasite host interactions are confined to
the upper layer of the skin (Feldmeier,2009).
How does it deviate from the definition of health?
Parasitic infection is a very harmful disease to the human body. The health of the human body is
functioning in a painful and uncomfortable condition when a parasitic infection in invading the cells
and muscles and even joints. It is very hard to have a wellness of health when your body is being
attack.
Classification: The parasitic infections have three classes that can cause disease in the body
(CDC,2020). Protozoa are microscopic one celled organism that can be free living or parasitic in
nature. Helminths are large multicellular organisms that are generally visible to the naked eye in
their adult stages. Ectoparasites can broadly include blood sucking arthropods such as mosquitoes
they depend on the blood meal from a human host for their survival.
Clinical Manifestations: Symptoms of Parasitic infections are stomach cramps and pain, nausea or
vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, digestive problems, skin issues and
muscle and joint pain, fatigue (SydneyGutClinic,2020). Signs of Parasitic infections are itchiness,
rash, diarrhea, unexplained feelings of anxiety, recurrent yeast infections (Marcin,2018).
Diagnostic Tests: Parasitic infection is determined by blood test, fecal exam, endoscopy,
colonoscopy, Xray’s, MRI, CAT Scan (Marcin,2018).
Concept and Etiology: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that affects mostly the spine.
Sometimes other joints can be involved but it is primarily located in the spine (SPAS, 2020). This
causes inflammation within the joints which causes the person who has it pain and discomfort
(SPAS, 2020). Ankylosing Spondylitis affects the musculoskeletal system by interfering with the way
that the joints move, can cause fusion of the spinal and cause minimal movement availability.
Classification: AS has two different types of classification. One is through Assessment of
Spondylarthritis International Society (ASAS). Axial SpA, or peripheral SpA, and the axial can be
radiographic or non-radiographic (Downward, 2019). There is also a classification through the
modified New York criteria, this is a scale level on the severity of the AS (Downward, 2019). This is a
radiological criterion of the appearance of the sacroiliac joints on x-rays, which are given a grading
of 0 to 4 (Downward, 2019). 0 Being no signs, and 4 being a full ankylosis, which is spinal fusion.
Clinical Manifestations: Most signs and symptoms very from person to person based on the level or
extent of their AS. Some of these include frequent pain in the lower back or buttocks. Most of the
signs and symptoms occur in early adulthood or late adolescence. There could also be a loss of
appetite, or mild fever. Some people with AS also experience some bowel inflammation which could
be related to Chronis Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
Diagnostic Tests: Some common tests that are completed are a physical exam, x-rays, medical
history, and blood work to include a test for HLA-B27 (SPAS, 2020). Most of these tests are
completed by a rheumatologist since they have the most extensive training when it comes to bones,
joints, muscles of the human body (SPAS, 2020).
Downward, E. (2019, April 15). Classification criteria for ankylosing spondylitis.
AnkylosingSpondylitis.net. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from
https://ankylosingspondylitis.net/diagnosis/classification.
Spondylitis Association of America. (2020, March 23). What type of doctor gives a diagnosis for
ankylosing spondylitis? SAA. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://spondylitis.org/about-
spondylitis/types-of-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis/diagnosis/.
Marcin, J., (2018). Parasitic Infections. What is a Parasitic Infection?
https://www.healthline.com/health/parasitic-infections
SydneyGutClinic (2020 February 25). The Main Symptoms of Parasitic Infection.
https://www.sydneygutclinic/the-main-symptoms-of-parasitic-infection/#respond
Feldmeier, H., & Heukelbach, J., (2009). Epidermal parasitic skin disease: A neglected category of
poverty-associated plagues. 87(2), 152-159. https://doi.org10.2471/BLT.07.047308
Abd EI Bagi, M., et al (1999). Imaging of Parasitic diseases of musculoskeletal system and soft
tissues. Pp 159-177.
https://doi.org10.1007/978-3-540-49354-9_7
