ROXAN EUPENA-CARAY, PhD

Professor I
• Parasitology
• study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between
them.
• is the area of biology concerned with the phenomenon of
dependence of one living organism on another.
• Fields in Parasitology
• Medical Parasitology – deals with parasites that infect humans,
the diseases that cause them, clinical picture, and response
generated by humans against them.
• Concerned with the various methods of their diagnosis
treatment and finally their prevention and control.
 • Drug development, epidemiological studies and study of
zoonosis.
• Veterinary Parasitology
• study of parasites that causes economic losses in
agriculture or aquaculture operations or which infect
companion animals.
• Lucilia sericata – blowfly
• Otodectes cynotis – cat ear mite
• Gyrodactylus salaris – parasite in salmon
• Structural Parasitology
• Study of structures of proteins in parasites
• Quantitative Parasitology
• Uses advanced biostatistical methodologies to quantify
distribution of parasites.
• Parasite Ecology
• Provide information about host population ecology
beneficial to identify parasite communities, which can
illuminate parasite-avoidance strategies employed by hosts.
• Conservation Biology of Parasites
• Concerned with the protection and preservation of
vulnerable species including parasites
• Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
• Involves describing and cataloguing parasites.
 Basic Definitions: Animal Associations/Symbiotic
Relationships
• Symbiosis – living together; Any two organisms living in close association,
commonly one living in or on the body of the other, are symbiotic, as contrasted
with free living (de Bary, 1879).
• Interactions of Symbionts:
• Commensalism – two species live together and and one species benefits from the other without
harming or benefiting the other.
• Mutualism – two organisms mutually benefit each other
• Parasitism – one species benefits (parasite) to the detriment of the other (the host)

Note: parasite may not necessarily produce disease in the host, but in almost all cases of parasitic relationships, the parasite deprives
the host essential nutrients.
Basic Definitions: Types of Parasites
• Based on Habitat
• Ectoparasites – are those that live outside of the host’s body (ex. fleas, lice)
• Invasion of the body by ectoparasites is called infestation.
• Endoprasites – are those that live inside the host (ex. helminths)
• Invasion of the body by endoparasites is called infection.
• Classified based on their ability to live independently of the host.
a) Facultative parasites – are those that can live independently of the host (i.e. free
living)
b) Obligate parasites – are those that must exist as parasites inside a host (totally
dependent on the host to complete its life cycle)
- majority of parasites that infect humans
Basic Definitions: Types of Parasites
• Based on mode of living
• Permanent parasite – are those that remain in a host from early life to maturity (ex. Plasmodium)
• Intermittent parasite – parasites that simply visit the host during feeding time (ex. non-
pathogenic parasites)
• Incidental parasites – parasites that occur on an unusual host (e.g. dog tapeworm in humans)
• Transitory parasites – are parasites whose larva develops in a host while the adult is free-living
• Erratic parasites – are those that become fixed in an unusual organ different from which is
ordinarily parasitized (Ascaris lumbricoides)
• One that wanders into an organ in which it is not usually found
Basic Definitions: Hosts
• Definition:
- Are organisms that harbour the parasite and provide nourishment to the parasite.
- Essential to the existence of parasites
• Types of Hosts
- Definitive Hosts - the host in which sexual maturity and reproduction takes place.
- Intermediate Hosts – the host in which the parasite undergoes essential development.
- Reservoir Hosts – are vertebrate hosts which harbour the parasite and may act as a source of infection in
humans (pigs for Balantidium coli)
- Paratenic Hosts – are those that serve as a means of transport for the parasite (e.g. vectors) so that the
infective stage of a certain parasite may reach its final host (an accidental host serving as a holding place
for a parasite)
 A Successful Parasite

• A parasite is successful - when it is in delicate balance with the host. If the balance
is upset, the host may destroy or expel the parasite; If the host is overly damaged, it
may die - as will the parasite.

• Parasitology is important - because this balance is not always maintained.

Sources of Exposure:
• Contaminated Soil and Water
• Food containing the infective stage of the parasite
• Blood sucking insect
• Domestic or wild animal harbouring the parasites
• Another person (clothing, beddings)
• Ones self
 Modes of Infection
• Filth-borne or contaminative - where personal hygiene and
community sanitation lacking. Infectious stages remain viable for long
periods in contaminated soil.
• Soil or water-borne - water or dirt which can contain eggs, etc.; Larvae
can penetrate skin of bare feet or enter skin in infested water.
• Food-borne - inadequately cooked beef, pork, fish, shell fish.
• Arthropod-borne - the most difficult of all to control. Mosquitoes
transmitting malaria, etc.
Mode of Transmission:
• Ingestion of contaminated food and water
• Bites od Blood-sucking arthropods
• Inhalation of air-borne eggs
• Transplacental or congenital infection
• Transmammary (milk) infection
• Sexual intercourse
Portal of Exit:
• Anus
• Urine
• Sputum
• Vaginal discharge
Pathogenesis of Parasitic Infections/Infestation
• Pathogenesis – manner of development of the disease
Ways:
a) Inapparent infection –causing no symptoms and
producing no detectable harm.
b) Traumatic damage - damage to tissues, intestine, liver, eye.
 Parasitic Damage to Host:
• Lytic action - activity of enzymes elaborated by organism.
• Tissue response - localized inflammation, eosinophilia.
• Blood loss - heavy infection with hookworm may cause
anemia.
• Secondary infections - weakened host susceptible to bacterial
infection, etc.