Parasite infection Flashcards
what is a parasite
an organism which lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrient sat the others expense
what is an obligate parasite
is totally dependent on the host to complete its life cycle
what is a facultative parasite
an organism that may resort to parasitic activity, but does not absolutely rely on any host for completion of its life cycle
what are the two main groups of endoparasites
Protozoa/ Microparasites
Helminths/ Macroparasite/ Parasitic worms
what are endoparasites
all those that live inside the host
what are protozoa/ microparasites
Tend to rely on a third organism, which is generally known as the carrier or vector for either transmission or for a maturation set in their life cycle, where the latter this is an intermediate host
(single celled)
what are the infectious species, and primary and secondary carriers that causes sleeping sickness (african trypanosomiasis)
Protozoa: Trypanosoma brucei (T.brucei)
Secondary Host: Man; Cattle ; Horses
Primary/ Carrier: Tsetse fly (Glossina )
what are helminths/ macroparasites
parasites that inhabit spaces in the hosts body and do not multiply within their definitive host
give three examples of helminths
tapeworms (Cestodes)
flukes (Trematodes)
roundworms (Nematodes)
what are ectoparasites
Parasites that live on the skin outside of the host either on the skin or the outgrowths of the skin
give examples of ectoparasites
- Lice, Fleas, Ticks, Leeches, Some mites, Biting Flies.
* Mistletoe!!
what are demodex mites
mites that naturally live in our hair and on our face feeding off sebum, not a problem until you are immunosuppressed
(benign inhabitants of cutaneous microflora)
what is hyperviviparity
A form of viviparity in which young have viviparous young inside them when born
‘russian doll’
what are viviparious parasites
development of the embryo inside the body of the parent - parasite that already contains a fully grown embryo in utero
why is treatment of protozoa and helminth infection so hard
they are eukaryotic parasites that have evolved with their host and live at their expense
how are parasitic infections distinguished from bacterial and viral infections
they have complex life cycles and stay for a long durations in the host (in part due to ability to evade immune system)
why is little money spent on parasitic infections around the globe
usually occuring in third world countries and often dont kill the host
why do parasite live long term in the host/ have slower lifecycles
because of the more extensive coevolution
how does co evolution give us a weak point to exploit in parasites
due to their close relationship with the host, parasites have often lost/gained metabolic pathways making them dependent on the host
what ways can parasites cause disease
• Directly – damage due to parasite
• Host immune system induced damages
• Death of the parasite
o Immune effects
o Pathogenic degeneration - eg calcification
• Other agents carried by the parasite – viruses (ASFV), bacteria, other parasites (eg mosquitoes and malaria)
TH1 cells produce an immune response against which type of pathogenic organisms
Internal parasites, protozoa, bacteria, viruses
TH2 cells produce an immune response against which type of pathogenic organisms
External parasites, Helminths
what immune response is caused by protozoal infection
recognition of protozoal antigens by PRRs on macrophages induces production of IFN-y by NK, TH1 and naive CD4 T cells. this activates resting macrophages and controls the infection
what are plasmodium merozoites
the small labile invasive stages that invade erythrocytes
what causes the hallmark fever in malaria infections
Stimulated macrophages secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α