Parasitology Overview Flashcards
Symbiosis
Living together of unlike organisms which may involve protection or other advantage to one or both organs
Commensalism
Two species live together and one species benefits from the relationship without harming or benefitting the other
Mutualism
Two organisms benefit from each otherP
Parasitism
Relationship where one organism live in or on another, depending on the latter for its survival and usually at the expense of the host
Endoparasite
Parasite living inside the body of a host (Infection)
Ectoparasite
Parasite living outside the body (Infestation)
Obligate parasite
Parasite that needs a host at some stage of their life cycle
Facultative Parasite
May exist in a free-living state
Accidental/Incidental Parsite
Establishes itself within its uncommon host
Permanent Parsite
Remain on or in the body of the host for its entire life
Temporary Parasite
Lives on the host only for a short period of time
Spurious/Caprozoic
Passes the digestive tract w/o infecting the host
Definitive Host
Where the parasite attains sexcual maturity
Intermediate host
Harbors the asexual or larval stage of the parasite
Paratenic host
Parasite does not develop further to later stages. Remains alive and can infect another susceptible host
Reservoir Host
Harbor the parasite other than definitive, intermediate, and paratenic hosts; allows the parasite’s life cycle to continue and become additional sources of human infection
Incidental host
Harbors a parasite where it is not its usual host
Biologic Vector
Transmits the parasite only after it has completed its development within the host
Mechanical Vector
Only transports the parasite
Incubation Period
Between infection and evidence of symptoms
Pre-patent period
Between infection or acquisition of the parasite and evidence or demonstration of infection
Autoinfection
Results when an infected individual becomes hi own direct source of infectionS
Superinfection
Happens when the already infected individual is further infected with the same species leading to a a massive infection of the parasite
