Parasitology Module 1 Flash Card Definitions
Parasitism
Relationship between two species of plants or animals in which one benefits at the expense of the other, sometimes without killing the host organism.
Ectoparasite
Parasite living on or in the skin
Endoparasite
Parasite of internal organs of host
Obligate Parasite
Parasite that depends on the host
Commensalism
A guest benefits from the host without harming it
Mutualism
Dissimilar organisms live together to their common advantage
Symbiosis
relationship between organisms of different species in which both complement
each other physiologically and are interdependent
Pre-Patency
describes the period between infection with a parasite and the demonstration of the parasite in the body especially as determined by the recovery of an infective form from the blood or feces.
Patency
when direct evidence of the parasite can be detected (in the patient’s blood, feces, or secretions)
Endemic
Pathogen or disease is common in a defined, e.g. group of animals (humans) or geographic region
Incidence
New infections in a defined time
Prevalence
Number of infections in relations to the total population
Morbidity
proportion of patients with a particular disease
Mortality
Death rate in a population
Ctencephalides felis
Cat flea
Facultative parasite
Parasite that lives only occasionally on or in the host
Opportunistic parasite
Parasite that infects/infests a host under favorable conditions (impaired immune defense)
Definitive host
Host in which sexual reproduction occurs
Intermediate host
Host in which the parasite passes obligatory through as part of the development
Paratenic host
Host harboring larval stages of the parasite (usually Infection stages) which do not develop further or multiply
Main host
Host in or on which a parasite species is most frequently found
Infection
the invasion of an organism’s body tissues by disease-causing agents, their multiplication, and the reaction of the host tissues to the infectious agents and their toxins
Indirect infection
Host organism gets infection via water, food or via vector
Direct infection
Pathogen from animal to animal (human to human) or between human animal (zoonosis)
Infestation
the presence of an unusually large number of insects or animals in a place, typically so as to cause damage or disease.
Vector
an organism that does not cause disease itself but which spreads infection by conveying pathogens from one host to another
Zoonotic
a disease that can be transmitted from animals to people
Morphology
study of the form and structure of an organism
Ctenocephalides felis
Cat flea
Metamorphosis
the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
Flea development parasitic stage
stages of development of flea that occur on the host
Flea development environmental stages
stages of development of flea that occur off of the host
Bartonella henselae
bacteria that is the causative agent of “Cat Scratch Disease”
Dipylidium caninum
Cucumber tapeworm
Yersinia pestis
bacteria that is the cause of the plague
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
an allergic reaction, the body’s immune system overreacts or is hypersensitive to a substance (called an antigen) from flea saliva that is normally harmless
Flea morphology
reddish brown in color, flattened side to side, 1/12 to 1/6 inch long, 3 pairs of legs, 3 body segments, biting-sucking mouthparts
Insect Growth Regulator (IGR)
a substance (chemical) that inhibits the life cycle of an insect
Flea eggs appear?
24-36 hours after first blood meal
Larva appear?
1-10 days after egg deposit and have a 5-12 day lifespan
Geotaxis
the motion of a motile organism or cell in response to the force of gravity
Phototaxis
the bodily movement of a motile organism in response to light, either toward the source of light or away from the source of the light
Flea cocoon takes how long to build?
5-14 days
Survival in cocoon can be how long?
12 months
Flea “Waiting Stage”
Pre-emerged Adult
Emergence of pre-emerged adult time?-
10 days to 6 months
Flea Adult
Sexual stage of flea life cycle
Flea adult duration on host
up to a month
Microhabitats of fleas
bedding, resting sites, thick carpets, furniture, flower beds, dog houses, rodent dens
Factors that cause constant re-infestation of pets:
- Adult flea infestation on domestic and feral cats and dogs
- Adult flea infestation on urban/suburban small mammals
- Delayed development (pre-emerged adults) in freeze protected areas around homes and wildlife dens
- Delated development of pupa and emergence of adults in in-home environments
Circadian rhythm
are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. They respond primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s environment.
Inter host movements occur why?
- Multi-pet households with close interaction between animals
- Interaction between treated and untreated animals, esp. in multi-pet households
- Movement from dead host
- From prey to carnivore
In-apparent carrier
Carrier state that exists with no clinical appearance of infection
Anemia
lack of red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to tissues or organs
Pruritus
itch
Alopecia
hair loss
Hyperkeratosis
thickening of the outer layer of the skin
