DODOMA INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED

SCIENCES (DIHAS) 
MODULE NAME:PARASITOLOGY AND
ENTOMOLOGY
MODULE CODE: NMT 04106
TOTAL CREDITS:-5

FACILITATOR: SIR. SIMON A. MOREMBWA

 SESSION 1

CONCEPTS OF PARASITOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY

Learning Task

At the end of this session a learner is expected to be able to:-

• Define the terms related to parasitology and entomology
• Outline types of parasites and hosts
• Describe relationship between parasite and host
• Classify parasites of medical importance
• Explain the effect of parasite in the host
1. Definitions of Terms Related to Parasitology and Entomology

Brainstorming (3 minutes)
Define the terms Parasitology, entomology and parasite,
• Parasitology is a scientific study of parasites
• word derived from latin words, Para means besides, sito means food,
and logy means study
• Entomology is the study of arthropods including insects which cause or
transmit disease to man
• Parasite is an organism that infects other living being, in or on the body
of another living being and obtains shelter and nourishment from it
• Host Is the organism which provide shelter and food/nourishment to
parasite
• Vector Invertebrate host mostly arthropod which is able to transmit
diseases from the infected host/source of infection to the susceptible
/health host
• Reservoir Is an animal in the absence of human host that maintains
and makes the parasite available for the transmission to another host
and is usually not affected by the infection
• e.g. mosquitoes for filariasis and malaria, domestic and wild
animals
2. Types of Parasite and Host
ACTIVITY: Buzzing (5 minutes)
In group of 5, buzz on the types of parasite and host
 2. Types of Parasite

1.Endoparasite
• Parasite that lives inside another organism (host) depending on it for food
and shelter for example, Plasmodium species, Ascaris lumbricoides
2.Ectoparasite
• Parasite that lives outside (on the body) of another organism (host)
depending on it for food and shelter for example, Lice, ticks
3.Obligate parasite
• Parasite that completely dependent on the host during a segment or all of its
life cycle, e.g. Plasmodium spp
4.Facultative parasite
• Parasite that exhibits both parasitic and non-parasitic modes of living
and hence does not absolutely depend on the parasitic way of life, but
is capable of adapting to it if placed on a host E.g. Naegleria fowleri
5. Accidental parasite
• Parasite attacks an unnatural host and survives. E.g. Hymenolepis
diminuta (rat tapeworm)
6. Erratic parasite
• Parasite that wanders in to an organ in which it is not usually found
e.g. Entamoeba histolytica in the liver or lung of humans
 Type of Hosts

1.Definitive host
• A host that harbour a parasite in the adult/mature stage or where the
parasite undergoes a sexual method of reproduction, e.g. a human is the
definitive host for Schistosoma haematobium whereas Anopheles
mosquito is the definitive host for the malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp)
2.Intermediate host
• A host that harbour the larval/immature stages of the parasite or an asexual
cycle of development takes place
E.g. the tsetse fly is the intermediate host for the Trypanosoma
species that cause African trypanosomiasis (Sleeping sickness)

In some cases, larval development is completed in two

different intermediate hosts, referred to as first and second
intermediate host, e.g. the tsetse fly is the intermediate host for
the Trypanosoma species that cause African trypanosomiasis
(Sleeping sickness)
3.Paratenic host
• An animal acting as a substitute intermediate host of a parasite, usually
having acquired the parasite by ingestion of the original host, no
development of the parasite takes place but the phenomenon aids in the
transmission of infection e.g. the successive fish hosts that carry the
plerocercoid of Diphyllobothrium latum, the broad fish tapeworm to larger
food fish eventually eaten by humans or other final hosts
• Also known as transfer or transport host
4. Accidental host
• A host that under normal circumstances not infected with the parasite
 3. Relationships between Parasite and Host
Symbiosis
• Is the close association between the host and parasite both dependent upon
each other that one cannot live without the help of the other
Commensalism
• It is an association in which the parasite only drives the benefit without
causing any injury to the host (e.g. Entamoeba coli in human intestine)
Mutualism
• Mutualism is a relationship in which both associates benefit from each other
therefore;

Parasitism
• An association in which the parasite derives benefit from the
host and always causes injury to the host, however mild may
be e.g. Plasmodium species causing malaria
• In parasitic relationship, the organism which benefits from
the relationship is the parasite and that provides the benefit
is called the host
 4. Classifications of Parasites of Medical Importance
Taxonomy
• The science dealing with the description, identification, naming, and
classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of
structure, origin
• The system currently used by taxonomists is called the Linnaeus taxonomic
system, in honor of Swedish biologist Carolus Linnaeus (1707 — 1778)
• The Linnaean system breaks down organisms into seven major divisions,
called taxa (singular: taxon)
The divisions are as follows:
• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species
• Parasites of medical importance come under the Kingdom called animalia
• The names of parasites are latinized, and sometimes the parasites are given name
of discoverers
• The parasites of medical importance belong to three Phyla of Kingdom animalia:
• Protozoa
• Platyhelminthes
• Cestodes
• Trematodes
• Nematodes
• Arthropods
 1. Protozoa

Protozoa is any of a large group of single-

Medical celled, usually microscopic, eukaryotic
Protozoology organisms, such as;
• Deals with the study • Amoebas
of medically
important protozoa • Ciliates
• Flagellates
• Sporozoans
• coccidia
Amoebas

• Any of various one-celled aquatic or parasitic protozoan of

the genus Amoeba or related genera, having no definite form
and consisting of a mass of protoplasm containing one or
more nuclei surrounded by a flexible outer membrane
• It moves by means of pseudopods e.g. Entamoeba histolytica
Flagellates

• Are organisms (non-photosynthetic free-living protozoan)

with one or more whip like organelles called flagella used for
propulsion and may also be used to create a current that
brings in food
• Can cause diseases and they can make their own food so
some are pathogens of humans and other animal e.g.
Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia lamblia, and Trypanosomes
Ciliates

• A group of protozoans characterized by the presence of hair-like

organelles called cilia, which are identical in structure to flagella but
typically shorter and present in much larger numbers with a
different undulating pattern than flagella
• Cilia occur in all members of the group and are variously used in
swimming, crawling, attachment, feeding, and sensation e.g.
Balantidium Coli
Sporozoa

• Unlike most other protozoans, sporozoans have no cilia or flagella

• All species are parasitic and have elaborate life cycles, often
requiring more than one host to complete their life cycle
• Asexual and Sexual modes of reproduction are present
• The best-known sporozoan is Plasmodium falciparum, the causative
organism of malaria
Coccidia

• Are single celled microscopic parasites that infect the intestine

• Detectable on routine fecal tests in the same way that worms are,
but coccidia are not worms and are not susceptible to deworming
medications
• Coccidia infection causes a watery diarrhoea that is sometimes
bloody and can be a life-threatening problem to an especially young
or small pet
2. Medical Helminthology

• Deals with the study of Helminths (worms) that affect man

• Helminths parasites are multicellular, bilaterally symmetrical
animals having three germ layers
• They normally cause disease and illness in humans
• Infected people excrete helminth eggs in their faeces, which then
contaminate the soil in areas with inadequate sanitation
• Other people can then be infected by ingesting eggs or larvae in
contaminated food, or through penetration of the skin by infective
larvae in the soil (hookworms)
• The helminths of importance to human beings are divided into three
main classes:
• Cestoda
• Trematodes
• Nematodes
1. Cestoda

• Is the name given to a class of parasitic flatworms

(ribbonlike), commonly called tapeworms, of the phylum
platyhelminthes that are parasitic in the intestines of humans
and other vertebrates
2. Trematodes or flukes

• Are parasitic flattened (flatworms) oval or worm-like animals having

external suckers for attaching to a host usually no more than a few
centimeters in length, although species as small as 1 millimetre and as
large as 7 metres

3. Nematodes
• Are small, usually microscopic, unsegmented roundworms with a
narrow cylindrical body resemble a tube with a head, mouth, tail, and
anus
3. Medical Entomology

• Is the study of arthropods which cause or transmit disease to man

Classification of arthropods
• There are three medically important classes of arthropods
• Class insecta
• Class Arachnida
• Class Crustacea
Class Insecta

The general features of this class include:

• Division of body into head, thorax and abdomen
• Possess one pair of antenna on the head
• Three pairs of legs, carried by thorax
• Wings may be present and could be one /two pairs
Class insecta is divided into four orders:
• Order diptera
• Order Siphonaptera
• Order Anoplura
• Order Hemiptera
Order Diptera
• Consists of mosquitoes and flies
• Have one pair of wing
• Development is by complete metamorphosis
Order Siphonaptera
• Consists of fleas
• Wingless but have strong leg to help them jump
• Development is by complete metamorphosis
Order Anoplura
• Consists of lice
• Wingless and with short legs
• Development is by incomplete metamorphosis

Order Hemiptera
• Consists of bugs
• Rudimentary wings
• Develop by incomplete metamorphosis
Class Arachnida

The general features of this class include:-

• Body divided into cephalothorax (head and thorax fused) and
abdomen
• Possess 4 pairs of legs
• They are wingless
• No antennae
• Undergo incomplete metamorphosis
Class Arachnida is divided into three orders:-
• Order Acarina
• Order Araneida
• Order Scorpionida
Order Acarina
• Consists of Ticks and mites
• The adult tick or mite has 4 pairs of legs and the Nymph 3 pairs of legs
Order Araneida
• Consists of spiders
Order Scorpionida
• Consists of scorpions
 Class Crustacea

The general features of this class include:-

• Body divided into cephalothorax and abdomen
• Four pairs of legs
• Two pairs of antennae
• Wingless
• Most are aquatic
• An example of crustacea include the Cyclopes
5. Effects of Parasites in the Host

Activity: Small Group Discussion (5 minutes)

In group of five (5), discuss effects of parasite in the host

• Many parasites cause harmful effects to their host, but in
most case these effects are not of such importance that the
host is being killed
• The damage which pathogenic parasites produce in the
tissues of the host may be described in the following two
ways:
1. Direct Effects of the Parasite in the Host
2. Indirect Effects of the Parasite in the Host
Direct Effects of the Parasite in the Host

• Mechanical injury: may be inflicted by a parasite by means of

pressure as it grows larger, e.g.
• Hydatid cyst of Echinococcus granulosus causes blockage of ducts
such as blood vessels producing infarction
• Plasmodium spp cause lysis of erythrocytes lead to haemolysis and
anaemia
• Ascaris lumbricoides infection the presence of the worms in the
small intestine may lead to intestinal occlusions
Deleterious effect of toxic substances: Some of the parasites
produce toxic substances such as:
• Plasmodium falciparum produce of toxic substances may cause a
sudden paroxysmal chill with high temperature, called the cold
stage, followed by a sense of heat and profuse perspiration, called
the hot stage (rigors) and other symptoms
• African trypanosomes spp, when in the central nervous system
produces aromatic amino-acid analogues that may affect brain
function
Immunodepression
• Deprivation of nutrients, fluids and metabolites by parasite
may produce disease by competing with the host for nutrients
• Plasmodium spp and Schistosomes spp etc. lead to a certain
degree of immune suppression which renders the infected
host more susceptible to other diseases
Irritation of skin and tissues
• This may be due to ectoparasites and endoparasites
Wasting (cachexia)
• African Trypanosomes spp may lead to severe loss of weight in both
animals and man
Superinfections
• Ulcers formed in the infection of Dracunculus medinensis may lead
to superinfections with bacteria
Allergic reaction
• The presence of Onchocerca volvulus under the skin may lead to
depigmentation due to allergic reactions
Ulceration
• A discontinuity of the skin or a break in the skin that stops it from
continuing its normal functions
Ulcer
• Is a sore, ranging in size from about a quarter of an inch to two inches
• Ulcers can occur on the surface of the body, such as on the foot, but
more commonly that forms in the stomach
Indirect Effects of the Parasite on the Host

Immunological reaction
• Tissue damage may be caused by immunological response of
the host, e.g. nephritic syndrome following Plasmodium
infections
• Excessive proliferation of certain tissues due to invasion by
some parasites can also cause tissue damage in man, e.g.
fibrosis of liver after deposition of the ova of Schistosoma
Immunosuppression
• Involves an act that reduces the activation or efficacy of the immune
system
• Some portions of the immune system itself have immuno-
suppressive effects on other parts of the immune system, and
immunosuppression may occur as an adverse reaction to treatment
of other conditions
Anemia
• Is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of healthy red
blood cells or hemoglobin
 Key Points (5 Minutes)
• Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship
between them
• Entomology is the study of arthropods including insects which cause or
transmit disease to man
• Parasite is an organism that infects other living being, in or on the body
of another living being and obtains shelter and nourishment from it
• Harmful effects of parasites to their host includes; deleterious effect of
toxic substance, Immunological reaction, Immunosuppression, Anemia,
mechanical injury, Wasting, irritation of skin and Ulceration
Session Evaluation (5 minutes)

• What is parasite?
• What are the three relationships between host and parasite?
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION
References

• CDC (2017). Facts Sheet on Trichomoniasis. Available at

https://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm
• Gupte, S. (2010). The short textbook of medical microbiology
including parasitology (10th ed.). New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers
Medical Publishers
• Leventhal, R., & Russell, F. C. (2009). Medical parasitology: A
self-instructional text (5th ed.). New Dehli: Jaypee Brothers
Medical