WARNING: Disturbing Visual Images

My first paper, and incidentally the most difficult module I have ever taken to date, wasn’t technically a disaster, but bad enough to sound off the sirens of desperation. Its a disgusting module called Infectious Diseases. To my reckoning, it should be called “The Memorising of Randomly Spelt Organisms with Accompanying Grotesque Images”. With over 70 names like Nattrasia mangifera (Scytalidium dimidiatum), Paracoccidioidomycosis, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiensi, Clyclospora cayetanensis… you get my drift. Its like randomly picking out scrabble tiles from a bag and trying to form poorly-conceived words. Though I think pharmacology is equally bad… (Imfliximab, Rifampicin, Olimizumab, etc…)

Anyway since tomorrow’s paper is an open book Ecology examination, I took the liberty to extract some of the most nefarious, repulsive and nauseating pictures for your viewing pleasure. I hope i don’t get sued for copy right… Click on more to see

*Disclaimer: the following contain disturbing visual images. Viewer’s discretion is STRONGLY advised.*

In no particular order of disgustingness, I present to you a glimpse of my module…

Hepatic (Liver) Obstruction caused by the over growth of Ascaris lumbricoides.

Ascaris lumbriciodes, or roundworm, crawling out of the nasal passage and mouth from a young patient. These worms are capable of tunneling their way out of the intestines and into various organs such as the heart, the lungs and even the brain.

After treatment with the anti-helminthic drug, this child expelled a bolus of roundworms, evading a potentially fatal eventuality.

A palm of an infant infected with Staphylococcus aureus. This symptom is known as the Scalded Skin Syndrome where the epidermolytic toxins have exfoliated her skin.

Staphylococcus aureus may also cause boils to be formed on its host, also known as Carbuncles.

Fungal pathogens have eaten into the face of this poor elderly in a condition known as Rhinosporidiosis.

These 2 photographs depicts unfortunate victims of Mucormycosis, caused by fungal pathogen Mucor and its related species, where much of their faces have been eaten up by the fungi.

Unlike the previous examples, these 2 patients’ facial disfigurement isn’t a result  of fungal infections. Rather, it is caused by Leishmania tropica, a protozoan parasite. This parasite is spread via sandfly bites, and apart from causing Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (seen here), it also causes subcutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis.

This is another disease caused by another helminthic worm, Trichuris trichuria. Their proliferation in the perianal mucosa has caused rectal prolaspe (ass turns inside out) of this patient.

This unfortunate victim had an deep opportunistic infection of Streptococcus pyogenes, resulting in necrotising fasciitis – where much of his skin dies.

This baby is suffering from meningococcal rash which results in skin necrosis (necrosis=death). Unless treated, neonatal infection by Neisseria meningitidis is fatal.

This neonate (baby just borned) is suffering from hydrocephalus (water in the brain) as a result of Congenital Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are definitive hosts for this parasite.

Guinea worms, or Dracunculus medinensis, can clearly be seen slowly wringling its way out of its host skin. A common treatment is to wind the worm around a stick as it slowly (a few cm a day) makes it way out. However, as adults can measure a meter long, this process may take days or even weeks.

This victim is suffering from Eumycetoma, where his subcutaneous tissue is infected by tropical saprophytic fungi.

Another unfortunate infection of the leg, this patient is suffering from Chromoblastomycosis. Pigmented fungi in the soil, such as Fonsecaea, Phialophora and Cladosporium may cause this disease.

Not all helminthic worm infection are utterly gross. This is a simple infection by parasitic pinworms Enterobius vermicularis. The typically cause Pruritus ani or itchy ass.

An autopsy shows the megacolon and megaoesophagus of the victim who yielded to American typanosomiasis, also known as Chagas’ Disease. Note the size of the organs. Typanosoma cruzi is spread by biting arthropods, specifically, the kissing bug.

Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungi, may cause nail infection in some individuals.

Other fungi, such as Blastomyces dermititidis, may cause Blastomycosis in regions such as America, Africa and Asia.

The protozoan parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, has caused amoebiasis of the gentinals.

Alright, that is all I have managed to dig up with the limited time I had. I hope you have enjoyed viewing these puke-inspiring pictures as much as I have enjoyed collating them. Notice that most of the gross disfiguring infections are caused by fungal pathogens, protozoan parasites or helminthic worms. Anyway, its time for supper, or rather MY dinner. I hope you guys are well enough to have yours

- The Benthic Canine

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Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

• Fungal Infections
• Toxoplasmosis
• Infection Its Causes Symptoms and Cure

~ by Elvin Yio on Monday, April 28, 2008.