CHAPTER 1: Introduction

• Which ancient civilizations documented the existence of parasites?

  Persians, Egyptians, and Greeks
• What contributed to our current knowledge of parasitology?

  = Increased awareness of parasites as a problem

  = Discovery of useful tools like microscopes

  = Understanding of parasite life cycles and transmission
• What is defined as a process with characteristic symptoms caused by parasites?

  = Infection
• What are transport carriers responsible for parasite transmission called?

  = Vectors
• What has led to higher parasite recovery rates in recent times?

  = Global travel
• What do practitioners gain expertise in through the increased number and diversity of parasites?

  = Parasite identification and treatment
• What promises to be exciting in the field of parasitology, particularly in laboratory diagnosis?

  = Advances in parasite identification tools
• What is the concept known as when disease escalates due to the presence of parasites?

  = Parasitic
• What is the main purpose of measures designed to protect practitioners when handling parasite samples?

  = Prevention of infection
• What has allowed viable preservation of parasites that would have otherwise been destroyed?

  = Enhanced preservation techniques
• What is the field that studies and monitors the trends of parasitic infections called?

  = Epidemiology
• In which type of countries are most parasitic infections found?

  = Underdeveloped tropical and subtropical countries
• What factors contribute to the prevalence of parasites in underdeveloped regions?

  = Increased population density

  = Poor sanitation

  = Marginal water sources
• How can parasitic infections be spread to non-endemic areas?

  = Through increased prevalence of global travel

  = Through contaminated food and water

  = Through insect vectors
• Which populations are at risk of contracting parasitic infections?

  =  Individuals traveling to endemic areas

  = Refugees, immigrants, and foreign visitors

  = Homosexual population
• What is the term used to describe how a parasite gains entry into a host?

  = Mode of transmission
• Which of the following is a common mode of transmission for select parasites?

  = Consuming contaminated food or water

  = Hand-to-mouth transfer

  = Insect vector transmission
• How can some parasites enter the body through the skin?

  = Unprotected bare foot
• It is NOT a route for parasite transmission

  = Blood transfusion
• What role do arthropod vectors play in parasite transmission?

  = They pass parasites on to an uninfected host through a blood meal.
• How long has the study of parasite-host relationships been in existence?

  = Over 100 years
• What are the three main focuses of research on parasite-host relationships?

  = Recognition, patterns, and methodology
• What are the two categories of parasites based on their relationship with the host?

  = Obligatory parasites and facultative parasites
• Which type of host is involved in carrying on the parasite's life cycle?

  =  Definitive host
• What type of relationship is formed when a parasite infects a host?

  = Symbiosis
• How do parasites protect themselves from the host's immune system?

  = By altering their antigenic makeup
• Under what circumstances do some associations exist as commensal and pathogenic?

  = When certain environmental conditions are met
• What is the primary function of the host in a parasite-host relationship?

  = To carry on the parasite's life cycle
• What is beyond the scope of the discussed chapter regarding parasite-host relationships?

  = The consideration of individual parasites
• What determines whether a parasite-host relationship is commensal, mutualistic, or parasitic?

  = The degree of harm inflicted on the host
• What are the three common components of parasitic life cycles?

  = Mode of transmission, infective stage, diagnostic stage
• What is the morphologic form of a parasite that invades humans called?

  =  Infective stage
• What is the term used for the forms of a parasite that can be detected via laboratory retrieval methods?

  = Diagnostic stage
• Do all parasites require intermediate hosts?

  = No, only some parasites require intermediate hosts
• How many common phases are involved in a parasitic life cycle?

  = Two
• What does the phase involving the route a parasite follows in or on the human body provide?

  = Understanding of symptomatology and pathology

  = Method of diagnosis and selection of medication

  =  Information about epidemiology, prevention, and control
• What does the phase involving the route a parasite follows independently of the human body provide?


  = Information about epidemiology, prevention, and control
• What does the diagnostic stage of a parasite's life cycle refer to?

  = The stage when the parasite can be detected via laboratory methods
• What does the infective stage of a parasite's life cycle refer to?

  = The stage when the parasite invades the human body
• What information does understanding the mode of transmission provide in parasitic life cycles?

  = Insights into symptomatology and pathology

  = Insights into prevention and control measures

  = Insights into appropriate antiparasitic medication