INTRO-F

• Parasites

  • organisms that live on and obtain their nutrients from another organism, a field known as parasitology.
• Parasitology

  • deals with epidemiology, parasite-host relationships, parasitic life cycles, disease processes and symptoms, treatment, and prevention and control are associated with parasites
• As parasitic life cycle is also discovered, transport carriers known as vectors were frequently responsible for transmission, parasite control and elimination

  also became important.
• Host

  • A larger organism that supports the survival and growth of a smaller organism
• Parasites

  • those organisms that live on or within a host organism and are metabolically dependent on the host. (any organism that causes disease)
• Host-Parasite Relationship

  • Human host is normally in contact with many microorganisms (normal flora)
  • Only a small number of these microorganism Aisersary and opportunistic pathogens) can cause disease
  • is characterized by fighting the organism to invade the body and the body defending itself by protective measures.
  • is discussed under :pathogenicity &normal flora
• Host-parasite interactions

  Adaptations to parasitism

  • Profound morphological adaptation to their way of life
  • Organs not necessary to a parasitic existence are frequently lost or degenerated
  • Reproductive system Is very highly developed inassociation with increased reproductive capacity
  • Specialized attachment organs in the form of suckers and hooks have been developed
  • Physiological and biochemical adaptations
  • immune evasion
• Obligatory parasite

  • Parasite that cannot survive outside of a host
• Facultative parasite

  • Parasite that is capable of existing independently of a host
• Endoparasite

  • Parasite that is established inside of a host
• Ectoparasite

  • Parasite that is established in or on the exterior surface of a host
• Accidental or incidental host

  • Host other than the normal one that is harboring a parasite
• Definitive host

  • Host in which the adult sexual phase of parasite development occurs
• Intermediate host

  • Host in which the larval asexual phase of parasite development occurs
• Reservoir host

  • Host harboring parasites that are parasitic for humans and from which humans may become infected
• Transport host

  • Host responsible for transferring a parasite from one location to another
• Carrier

  • Parasite-harboring host that is not exhibiting any clinical symptoms but can infect others
• Symbiosis

  • Living together; the association of two living organisms, each of a different species
• Commensalism

  • Association of two different species of organisms that is beneficial to one and neutral to the other
• Mutualism

  • Association of two different species of organisms that is beneficial to both
• Parasitism

  • Association of two different species of organisms that is beneficial to one at the other's expense
• Commensal

  • Relating to commensalism; the association between two different organisms in which one benefits and has a neutral effect on the other
• Pathogenic

  • Parasite that has demonstrated the ability to cause disease
• Parasitic Life Cycles

  • range from simple to complex, have three common components:

  1. mode of transmission
  2. infective stage
  3. diagnostic stage
• The route a parasite follows when in or on the human body.

  • phase that provides an understanding of the symptomatology and pathology of the parasite
  • gives insights about the best method of diagnosis and selection of appropriate antiparasitic medication may also be determined
• The route a parasite follows independently of the human body.

  • Phase that provides crucial information pertinent to epidemiology, prevention, and control.
• Major body areas affect by the parasitic disease:

  1. gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts
  2. blood and tissue
  3. major organs
  4. miscellaneous locations
• Elephantiasis

  • enlargement of areas such as the breast, leg, and scrotum caused by a parasite's presence
  • anemia, vitamin deficiency, bowel obstruction, edema, enlargement of major organs, skin lesions, and blindness
• symptoms YOU MAY HAVE PARASITES

  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appettie
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • bloating
• Treatment of Parasitic Diseases

  1. Antibiotics
  2. Ultraviolet Radiation
  3. bed rest
  4. fluid replacement
• Prevention of Parasitic Diseases

  1. Pasteurization
  2. Cooking foods well
  3. Vaccines
  4. Wearing shoes
  5. Avoid non-chlorinated water
• Stool

  • most commonly submitted sample for studies
  • involves macroscopic and microscopic techniques
• PHYLOGENY

  • In Biology, relies on the degree of relatedness among organisms.This relatedness between groups of living things is called ___.
• ROUNDWORMS

  • Infects both dogs and cats and is often passed to puppies and kittens In utero and from mother's milk
  • Acquired by ingesting contaminated soil or feces, or eating infected rodents
  • Live in small Intestine and cause intestinal blockage and death
• HOOKWORMS

  • Infects both dogs and cats and can be transmitted during nursing
  • Acquired by ingesting larvae or larvae penetrating skin or feet
  • Attach to lining of small intestine and feed off the blood of their host
• TAPEWORMS

  • Infects both dogs and cats
  • Acquired by ingesting infected fleas, small rodents or rabbits
• WHIPWORMS

  • Infects dogs; extremely rare in cats
  • Acquired by ingesting eggs in contaminated soil or feces
  • Small, thin worms that attach to the large intestine
• GIARDIA

  • Infects dogs and cats
  • Acquired by ingesting contaminated feces, food or water
  • Symptoms: chronic soft stools or watery diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy
• COCCIDIA

  • Infects dogs and cats. especially common in young and stressed animals
  • Acquired by ingesting contaminated soil or feces or an infected rodent
  • Can cause death in young animals