Parasiology Flashcards
What is parasitism?
A relationship where a parasite benefits at the host’s expense.
Name two types of parasites based on location.
-Ectoparasites (on host, e.g., ticks)
-Endoparasites (inside host, e.g., Plasmodium).
What is an obligate parasite?
A parasite that cannot survive without a host (e.g., Trypanosoma).
What is the definitive host for malaria?
Female Anopheles mosquito (sexual reproduction occurs here).
How does Plasmodium spread to humans?
Via bites from infected mosquitoes (sporozoites enter bloodstream).
What is an intermediate host? Give an example.
Host for larval stages (e.g., pigs for Taenia solium tapeworms).
Which Plasmodium species causes the most severe malaria?
P. falciparum (highest mortality, common in Africa).
Name two diagnostic methods for malaria.
-Microscopy (gold standard)
-Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs).
Why is P. vivax hard to eradicate?
Can relapse for years due to dormant liver stages.
How do bed nets help prevent malaria?
Block mosquito bites (primary vector control).
What is a limitation of current malaria vaccines?
Low efficacy (~50%; target is 75% by 2030).
Name a drug used for malaria treatment.
Quinine or Fansidar (but resistance is a problem).
What is zoonosis?
Diseases transmitted from animals to humans (e.g., trichinellosis from pigs).
How do opportunistic parasites differ from pathogenic ones?
Opportunistic (e.g., Candida): Harmless in healthy hosts, severe in weak immunity.
Pathogenic (e.g., Plasmodium): Always cause disease, regardless of host immunity.
