Parasitology

 Parasitology- science that deals

with the study of organism that
depends on another organism for
the purpose of procuring food and
securing protection
 parasites
 host
Types of host
 Final or definitive host- harbors the adult
stage of the parasite ex. Man, dog, cat
 Intermediate host- harbors the larval
stage of the parasite
 First intermediate host- harbors the early larval
stage of the parasite ex. snail
 Second larval stage- harbors the infective larval
stage of the parasite ex. Fish, vegetables
 Reservoir host- host that ensures the
continuity of the life cycle of the parasite and
acts as an additional source of infection ex.
Rodent, pigs
 Paratenic host- harbors the parasites in an
arrested state of development. However the
parasite is capable of continuing its life cycle in
a suitable host ex. Prawn, crab
Host- Parasite
Relationship
 Parasitism
 Mutualism
 Commensalism
 Symbiosis
Factors affecting
transmission of
diseases
 The source of infection
 An effective mode of transmission
and portal of entry
 The presence of susceptible host
 Successful entry of the infective
stage of the parasite
Sources of infection
 Soil- ex. Ascaris
 Snail- trematodes
 Arthropods-mosquito
 Animal/food borne- trichinella,
taenia solium
 Contact- trichomonas
 autoinfection
Mode of entry
 Mouth- ingestion, intimate oral contact
 Skin- larval penetration, bite of
arthropod
 Others
– Genitals- trichomonas vaginalis
– Nose/intranasal- naegleria, enterobius
– Transplacental- toxoplasma gondii
Life cycle
 Development of the parasite
which involves the survival and
development in the external
environment and in one or more
host
Diagnosis
 Clinical diagnosis- diagnosis
based on the recognition of the
characteristic signs and
symptoms of the infection.
 Laboratory diagnosis- diagnosis
on the identification of the
parasites in the different
specimens.
Distribution of
Diseases
 Endemic- when a disease in human
population maintains a relatively steady,
moderate level.
 Epidemic- there is a sharp rise in the
incidence or an out-break of disease.
 Hyperendemic- if the prevalence of a
disease in a community is high.
 Sporadic- if the disease appears only
occasionally in one or few members of the
society.
 Pandemic- when the disease covers
extensive area of infection.
Prevention and Control
 Reduction of the sources of infection in
human beings via therapeutic measures.
 Education in personal prophylaxis to
prevent dissemination of infection and to
reduce the opportunities of exposure.
 Sanitary control of water, food and proper
waster disposal
 Destruction or control of reservoir host and
vectors.
 Erection of biological barriers to the
transmission of parasites.
Classification of
Parasites
 According to habitat
- endoparasite
- ectoparasite
 According to the effect to the host
- pathogenic
- non pathogenic
 According to the mode of living
- obligate- takes permanent residence and
completely dependent on the host for
existence.
- facultative- capable of parasitic and free
living under favorable condition.
- incidental- one that establishes itself in a
host which it does not ordinarily lives
- temporary- free living during
part of existence and seeks only
its host intermittenly to obtain
nourishment
- permanent- remains in or out of
the body of the host from early
life to maturity.