Question

Write the causing agent and symptoms of
(i) African sleeping sickness
(ii) Kala azar
(iii) Delhisore
(iv) Giardiasis
(v) Amoebic dysentery
(vi) Malaria.

Answer 1

A disease is an abnormal condition which negatively affects the structure, function and physiology of the organism. The disease can be auto-immune or can be caused by causative agents like bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses etc.

Complete answer:
Let us discuss the diseases and the causative agents.

1)African sleeping sickness- The disease is caused by Trypanosoma gambiense. The vector which carries the disease is called tsetse fly. The symptoms are fever, headache, joint pain and itching. It includes behavioural changes and poor coordination.

2)Kala azar: It is also known as black sickness. The causative agent is Leishmania donovani. The vector which transmits the disease is sandfly. The symptoms include fever, anaemia, enlargement of liver, spleen.

3)Delhi sore- It is caused by Leishmania tropica. It is also known as cutaneous oriental sore. The symptoms include sores on face and limbs. It also causes tropical ulcers.

4)Giardiasis- It is caused by Giardia intestinalis. It occurs in the upper part of the small intestine. The symptoms are abdominal discomfort, headache, fever, diarrhoea.

5)Amoebic dysentery-It is caused by Entamoeba histolytica. This organism is found in the human intestine. The symptoms are frequent motions with blood and mucus, abdominal pain.

6)Malaria: The Plasmodium is the causative agent for malaria. It is a protozoan. The carrier of this protozoa is female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms include restlessness, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, muscular pain, headache, fever.

Note: The diseases can be prevented by treating or controlling the risk factors which are the main reason for the spread of the disease. The treatment begins either before the onset of symptoms or shortly after. The above disease can be controlled by preventing the breeding of mosquitoes.