Parasitology

• Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts and the relationship between them, including
the distribution, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, ecology, evolution and clinical
aspects of parasites.

Basic Terminology

Anemia

• Reduced number of erythrocytes or red blood cells often resulting by haemolysis due to the
damaging action of intra erythrocytic parasites such as plasmodium, Babesia or by
immunological reactions due to the presence of trypanosomes in the circulation.

Endemic

• An endemic is a disease constantly present in a population or region, with relatively low spread.
• For example: Malaria is considered endemic in certain countries and regions.

Epidemic

• In epidemic disease there is sudden increase in cases spreading through a large population.
• Yellow fever, smallpox, measles, polio are prime examples of epidemics.

Pandemic

• In pandemic there is sudden increase in cases across several countries, continents or the world.
• Example: 1918 Spanish influenza outbreak is still said to be one of the worst pandemics.

Zoonosis

• A zoonosis (zoonotic disease) is an infectious disease that is transmitted between species from
animals to humans or from humans to animals.

Direct life cycle

• A life cycle in which a parasite is transmitted directly from one host to the next without an
intermediate host or vector of another species.
• Nematodes, trypanosomatids & Cryptosporidium are examples of parasites with direct life cycle.

Inter-direct life cycle

• An indirect life cycle is a type of a life cycle wherein a parasite is transmitted from one host to
another by using a vector or by an intermediate host of another species.
• Some filarial nematodes, Plasmodium, & Leishmania are examples of parasites with indirect life
cycles.
Infection

• The term “infestation” refers to parasitic diseases caused by animals such as arthropods (i.e.
mites, ticks, and lice) and worms.

Infection

• The term “infection” is used for parasitic diseases caused by protozoa, fungi, bacteria and
viruses.

Parasite

• A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the
expense of its host.

Types of Parasite

Endoparasites

• Parasites which live inside its host are called Endoparasites.

• Examples: Roundworms, Hookworms, Leishmania are examples of Endoparasites.

Exoparasites

• Exoparasites are parasites that live on the external surface of hosts.

• Examples: Fleas, Lice, Ticks, Mites, Leeches and mosquitoes are examples of Exoparasites.

Obligate Parasite

• Parasites which depend completely on the host for its habitat, nourishment, reproduction, and
survival.
• Examples: Head louse, Plasmodium etc.

Facultative Parasites

• Facultative parasites do not rely on the host in order to complete their life cycle; they can
survive without the host.
• Examples: Naegleria fowleri, Ringworm in cat etc
Host

• An organism that gives food and sheter to another organism (often a parasite).

Types of Host

Primary Host

• A primary host or definitive host is a host in which the parasite reaches maturity and, in
most cases, reproduces sexually.

Secondary Host

• A secondary host or intermediate host is a host that harbors the parasite only for a short
transition period during one or more of its developmental stages.

Symbiotic Relationships

Mutualism

• Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit.

• Example: Humans also have a mutualistic relationship with certain strains of Escherichia coli,
another bacterium found in the gut.

Commensalism

• Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other species
is not affected.
• Example: Microbiota on the skin and gastrointestinal tract, wherein commensal bacteria
flourish, is an example of commensalism in humans.

Parasitism

• Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship in which one species (the parasite) benefits while the other
species (the host) is harmed.
• Examples of parasitism are the helminthes (worms) in the intestines of the host and lice in
human head.