Introduction to Medical Parasitology Flashcards
The area of biology concerned with the phenomenon of dependence of one living organism on another
Parasitology
Concerned primarily with parasites of humans and their medical significance, as well as their importance in human communities
Medical Parasitology
Is a branch of medicine that deals with tropical diseases and other special medical problems of tropical regions
Tropical Medicine
An illness, which is indigenous to or endemic in a tropical area but may also occur in sporadic or epidemic proportions in areas that are not tropical.
Tropical Disease
Living together of unlike organisms
Symbiosis
A symbiotic relationship in which two species live together and one species benefits from the relationship without harming or benefiting the other
Commensalism
A symbiosis in which two organisms mutually benefit from each other
Mutualism
A symbiotic relationship where one organism, the parasite, lives in or on another, depending on the latter for its survival and usually at the expense of the host
Parasitism
A parasite living inside the body of a host
Endoparasite
Parasite living outside the body of a host
Ectoparasite
The presence of an endoparasite in a host is called an
Infection
The presence of an ectoparasite on a host is called an
Infestation
Parasite that is found in an organ which is not its usual habitat
Erratic parasite
Parasite that needs a host at some stage of their life cycle to complete their development and to propagate their species.
Obligate parasite
Parasite that may exist in a free-living state or may become parasitic when the need arises
Facultative parasite
Parasite which establishes itself in a host where it does not ordinarily live
Accidental or incidental parasite
Parasite that remains on or in the body of the host for its entire life
Permanent parasite
Parasite that lives on the host only for a short period of time
Temporary parasite
Free-living organism that passes through the digestive tract without infecting the host
Spurious parasite
Host in which the parasite attains sexual maturity
Definitive or final host
Host that harbors the asexual or larval stage of the parasite
Intermediate host
Host in which the parasite does not develop further to later stages
Paratenic host
Host that widens the parasite distribution and bridge the ecological gap between the definitive and intermediate hosts.
Paratenic host
Host that allow the parasite’s life cycle to continue and become additional sources of human infection
Reservoir hosts
Causative agent of amebic dysentery
Entamoeba histolytica
Reservoir host of Balantidium coli
Pigs
Reservoir host of Paragonimus westermani
Field rats
Reservoir host of Brugia malayi
Cats
Responsible for transmitting the parasite from one host to another
Vectors
Transmits the parasite only after the latter has completed its development within the host
Biologic vectors
Only transports the parasite
Mechanical or phoretic vector
Harbors a particular pathogen without manifesting any signs and symptoms
Carrier
The process of inoculating an infective agent
Exposure
Connotes the establishment of the infective agent in the host
Infection
Period between infection and evidence of symptoms
Incubation period
The period between infection or acquisition of the parasite and evidence or demonstration of infection
Pre-patent period / biologic incubation period