Parasitology Flashcards
Symbiosis
A relationship of distinct organisms in close association with one another
Mutualism:
Commensal:
Parasitism:
Mutualism: Benefits both
Commensal: Benefits one and neutral for the other
Parasitism: Benefits one and harfmul for the other (parasite vs host)
Human parasites are divided into:
Endo (infection inside the body)
Ecto (Infestation or within skin)
Endoparasites are divided into:
Protozoan (unicellular)
Helminths (multicellular worms)
Parasite (Biological Definition)
An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a host organism to the detriment of that host
Definitive Host
Host in which the sexual stage of a parasite life cycle occurs
Intermediate Host
Host in which asexual reproduction or development occurs
Incidental Host
Host is not an obligate part of parasite life cycle
Reservoir Host
Animal hosts that maintain the natural cycle in the wild - often are not really harmed by carriage
Vector Host
A host species that transmits an infections form of the parasite to another host species
Worldwide parasitology prevalence of Malaria
300-500 million cases per year
655,000 deaths, mostly children
Prevalent parasitologies
Malaria Leishmaniasis Chaga's disease Schistosomiasis Lymphatic Filariasis Ascariasis
The 6 Kingdoms
Eubacteria Archeobacteria Protista Fungi Plantae Animalia
Cyst
Dormant stage of parasite, found encysted in host (intermediate or definitive)
Cyst, Hydatid
Specialized cysitcercal form of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus - found in the intermediate host