Parasites Introduction Flashcards
What are parasites?
Use hosts nutrients to survive and complete life cycle
Usually no benefit to host
Why should you clasify parasites in closely related groups?
1) similar life cycles and transmission
2) similar prevention and treatment
What are the three main groups of parasites?
1) protozoa
2) Helminths
3) Arthropods
How many cells are in protozoa
Single celled microscopic organisms
What are 2 main examples of protozoa
Giardia
Coccidia
What are the four types of protozoa
Flagellates
Ciliates
Amoeba
Sporozoan
How do protozoa move
Independently
How do protozoa thrive
Free living or parasitic
How do protozoa reproduce
Sexually and asexually
Are protozoa an endoparasite or ectoparasite
Endoparasite
What is an endoparasite
Parasite that lives inside its host
What is an ectoparasite
Lives on the outside of its host
What are Helminths?
Worms such as roundworms and tapeworms
How many cells in helminths
They are multi cellular
Is a helminth an endoparasite or an ectoparasite
Endoparasite - live inside body
What are the three main types of helminths
Roundworms
Tapeworms
Flukes
Can you see helminths?
You can see adults with naked eye
How do helminths thrive?
Free living or parasitic
What are arthropods
Bugs
Jointed legs
Are arthropods an ectoparasite or an endoparasite
Ectoparasite
Why are arthropods an ectoparasite
Thrive off skin and hair follicles
Examples of arthropods
Mites
Fleas
Lice
Ticks
How many arthropods are there
3/4 of all living organisms
How do arthropods thrive
Free living and parasitic
How do arthropods move
Jointed legs for movement
Size of arthropods
Microscopic (mites)
Macroscopic
Do worms rapidly grow and live in host
Do not grow rapidly in hosts
Females lay eggs which move onto other hosts
How is the amount helminth infection determined? When is it bad?
Initial intake of parasite - how much/little
Bad when there is a lot of parasites
When do helminth parasites become a problem?
Large numbers
Immunosuppressive
Puppies and kittens
Two main groups of ectoparasites
Insects
Arachnids
Describe insects
3 body parts (head/thorax/abdomen)
Wings and antennae
Fleas, flies, lice
Describe arachnids
2 body parts(cephalothorax/abdomen)
No wings or antennae
Ticks and mites
What are the five species of protozoa parasitic to dogs and cats
1) Giardia
2) Toxoplasma
3) cryptosporidium
4) coccidia
5) trichomonas
Who does giardia affect
Dogs
Cats
People
Who does toxoplasma affect
Most warm blooded animals
Who does cryptosporidium affect
Many mammals
Zoonotic if people are immunosuppressed
What is coccidia
Subclass of intracellular , spor forming , microscopic parasites
How does coccidia survive
Need to live inside animal cell to survive and reproduce
Affects many animals including dogs and cats
Example: isospora
Who does trichomonas affect
Dogs
Cats
Cattle
Not zoonotic
What are the 5 classes of vertebrates?
Fish Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals
Describe the vertebrate fish
Ectothermic, aquatic
Scales/fins/lay eggs in water
Salmon, tuna
Describe the vertebrate amphibians
Ectothermic
No scales, fins, feathers, fur
Needs to be moist to breath properly
What 2 stages do amphibians have?
Lay eggs in water and become tadpoles
Tadpoles to intermediate stage
Become adults that can breathe out of water
Examples of amphibians
Frogs
Toads
Salamanders
Newts
Describe reptiles
Ectothermic
With scales and 3 chambered heart
Where do reptiles lay eggs
On land
Some have live birth
Examples of reptiles
Snakes
Turtles
Lizards
Birds
Endothermic
Have feathers/wings
Four chambered heart
Where do birds lay eggs?
On land
Bird diet
Diverse diet
Seeds, fruit, nectar
Bird examples
Jays
Hawks
Robins
Parrots
Mammals
Endothermic can make their own heat
What makes mammals special
Hair
Fur
Sweat glands
Mammary glands
Examples of mammals
Humans Dogs Ferrets Cats Rabbits
What’s the most common human protozoa parasite
Malaria
How is malaria spread
Infected mosquito
Plasmodium
Symptoms of malaria
Flu like
Severe - kidney/respiratory damage
Seizures
Death
Can malaria be treated?
Can be treated if found early
How to prevent malaria
Anti malarial medication when going into infected area
Most common parasites
Roundworms Lice Tapeworms Coccidia Giardia Ear mites Nasal mites Demodex
Less common parasites in Calgary
Fleas Mange mites Walking dander Ticks Dog tapeworms
Parasites common in other parts of Canada
Fleas
Tapeworms
Heartworm
Hookworm
