Parasitology-Definition of Terms
Parasitology-Definition of Terms
Parasitology-Definition of Terms
DEFINITION OF TERMS
WHAT IS PARASITOLOGY?
PARASITOLOGY is the science that deals with organisms that take up their abode
temporarily or permanently, on or within other living organism for the purpose of procuring
food and shelter
PARASITE – is a weaker organism that depends on another organism for food and
shelter
PARASITISM – association of two different specie where one lives at the expense of
another
PARASITEMIA – presence of parasites in the blood
SYMBIOSIS- Two living organism of different specie are dependent on each other
MUTUALISM- Both benefit from each other
COMMENSALISM- One benefit ; one not harmed or injured
PARASITISM- One benefit; one is living in the expense of others
KINDS OF PARASITE
According to habitat
Obligatory parasite – a parasite that NEEDS A HOST at some stages of its life cycle
Facultative parasite – a parasite that MAY SURVIVE IN A FREE-LIVING STATE or MAY
BECOMEPARASITIC WHEN THE NEED ARISE
According to pathogenicity
Spurious Parasite – parasite of other animals which passes thru the human body
(stomach) without causing injury or damage
Intermittent Parasite – parasite that visits and leaves the host at intervals. Also known
as temporary parasite.
Example: mosquito
According to periodicity
Permanent parasite – a parasite that lives its whole life (hatching until death) in a
single host but eggs or cyst are to be transferred to a new host before a second
generation develops
Periodic Parasite – parasite in which larval stage develops in host different from that
of an adult
Incidental Parasite – a parasite which occurs occasionally in an unusual host.
Example: Ancylostoma caninum
Erratic Parasite – it is the parasite that fixed in an organ or habitat which is not its
usual habitat
Example: Ascaris lumbricoides
According to their
INFECTION vs INFESTATION
KINDS OF HOST
DEFINITIVE HOST RESERVIOR HOST
INTERMEDIATE HOST PARATENIC HOST
1ST Intermediate Host DEAD-END HOST
2nd Intermediate Host
KINDS OF HOST
DEFINITIVE (PRIMARY HOST) - is the host in which SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT and
multiplication of the parasite takes place
Example: Mosquito Malaria
INTERMEDIATE (SECONDARY HOST) - Is the host where ASEXUAL state of the parasite
takes place
1ST Intermediate Host – EARLY LARVA stage of the parasite
2nd Intermediate Host – INFECTIVE LARVA to the definitive host
RESERVIOR HOST - Is the host that harbors the same specie of parasite as may man
Example: PIG Balantidium coli
PARATENIC HOST - is the host that harbors the parasite in ARRESTED
STATE of development, however the parasite is able to continue the cycle in a
subsequent suitable host
DEAD-END HOST (INCIDENTAL HOST) - host that does generally not allow transmission
to the definite host, thereby preventing the parasite from completing its development
Examples: humans Echinococcus canine tapeworms.
VECTORS
- These are animate or inanimate object that carries the infective stage of the
parasite
BIOLOGICAL VECTOR – transmit the parasite only after it has completed its
development inside the host
MECHANICAL / PHORETIC VECTOR – just transport the parasite
MODE OF REPRODUCTION
SEXUAL
Oviparous – parasite lays egg hatch OUSIDE the host body
Oviviparous – parasite lays egg hatch INSIDE the host body
Viviparous – bears living young, instead of laying eggs
ASEXUAL
Binary fission – This separates the parent cell into two nearly equal daughter cells,
each having a nuclear body
Parthenogenic – female parasite produce eggs without being fertilized by a male
Epidemiology
SPORADIC – disease which occurs OCCASIONALLY in ONE OR FEW members of the
community
ENDEMIC – a disease which occurs more or less CONSTANTLY in a PARTICULAR
community
SAPROPHYTES - organism that grows on and derives its nourishment from dead or decaying
organic matter.