on to

Medical
Parasitolo
gy
2nd TERM-2nd SEMESTER
University of the Immaculate
Conception
College of Medical and Biological
Sciences
 OBJECTIVES
At the end of the unit, the students
are able to:
1.) understand the general considerations of Medical Parasitology;

2.) define important terminologies needed in the study of Medical

Parasitology;

3.) explain Host-Parasite relationship;

4.) differentiate the varied phenomenon of Biological relationships;

5.) analyse epidemiologic measures.

There are far more kinds of parasitic than
nonparasitic organisms in the world.
PARASITES

ARE THEY SIGNIFICANT?

 What is
parasitology
 BY Rootword definition:

Parasitology
◦ prefix-para- “par” means –equal, occuring as pair.
◦it could also be-near, beside, beyond or
alongside

Therefore:
◦parasitology- study of those living closely to
Parasitology
branch of biology concerned with the phenomenon of
dependence of one living organism on another;

Includes scientific study of:

◦ Life cycle
◦ Reproductive behavior
◦ Pathogenesis
◦ Laboratory diagnosis
◦ Methods of halting multiplication
- is concerned primarily with the parasites of humans and their
medical significance, as well as their importance in human
communities, especially the:
1.Protozoans
2.Nematodes
3.Cestodes
4.Trematodes
5.Arthropods
 PARASITES and PARASITISM

Parasitism includes any reciprocal association in which a

species depends upon another for its existence. This
association may be temporary or permanent.

-Franklin Neva & Harold Brown, Basic Clinical Parasitology,6th Edition

National Institute of Health, Bethesda Maryland
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston Massachusettes
CLASSIFICATION OF PARASITE
HABITAT/STATE OF PARASITOSIS
 Can you tell the difference?

ECTOPARASITE ENDOPARASITE
 PATHOGENICITY
Pathogens
parasites that are harmful, frequently causing local or
systemic damage to a host’s tissues.
Non-pathogens / Commensals
are those that derives benefit from the
host, but without reciprocating and without
giving injury to the host

Carrier
harbors the parasite/pathogen without showing any signs
and symptoms;
Pathogen: Schistoma spp.
Non-pathogen: Entamoeba coli
TYPE OF INFECTION
Relationship of Parasite to Host
 HOST
- ANY LIVING ORGANISM from which a parasite obtains
nourishment and protection;

- Any organism that HARBORS the parasite;

- mostly, ONLY ONE host is REQUIRED for a parasite to

carry on its LIFE CYCLE;
KINDS OF HOSTS
DEFINITIVE
HOST

- harbors the
SEXUAL or the ADULT
STAGE of the life cycle
of a parasite

Example: human Kinds of hosts

beings
INTERMEDIATE
HOST

-harbors the ASEXUAL

or the LARVAL STAGE of
the life cycle of a parasite.

example: mollusks
(snails)
 RESERVOIR
HOST

- harbors a parasite that lives

within or on body surfaces long
enough to serve as the source of
infection;

- is a host other than a human that

may also be parasitized by the
same stage(s) of the parasite as
humans;
Kinds of hosts
 PARATENIC
HOST

- a host that harbors the infective

larval stage of a parasite in
which no essential growth or
development takes place.

- serves as a means of
transport for the infective larval
stage to reach its final host.
 BIOLOGICAL
RELATIONSHIPS
 SYMBIOSIS
The LIVING TOGETHER of UNLIKE organisms.
 TERMINOLOGIES
Mutualism - a relationship that is beneficial to both
parasite and its host

Parasitism - a relationship that is beneficial to one

(parasite) at the expense of the other
(host)
Commensali - a relationship that gives benefit to the
sm parasite, but without reciprocating and
without giving injury to the host
 VECTORS
Biologic vector
-TRANSMITS the parasite only after the
latter has completed its development w/n
the host.

Mechanical/Phoretic vector
-only TRANSPORTS the parasite.
SOURCES OF
EXPOSURE
 Contaminated Soil or Water
- Involves the parasites that require further development in the soil or water
before they become infective to hosts

EXAMPLE:

- Strongyloides stercoralis
- Hookworms
- Ascaris lumbricoides
- Trichiuris trichiura
 Food containing the immature
infective stage of the parasite
- includes parasites that may require further development within an
intermediate or reservoir host before they become infective to host.
- Example:

- FISH infected with Clonorchis sinensis

 Blood-sucking Arthropods

- include parasites that are

transmitted by arthropod
vector;
 Domestic or wild animal harboring the
parasite
- includes parasites found in lower animals
that nay serve as direct source for human
infection;

Example:
DOGS
- Hydatid cyst of Echinococcus granulosus
- Toxocara canis
2. Herbivorous animals
- Trichostrogylus species

3. Cats or Feline
- Toxoplasma gondii
Congenital toxoplasmosis
 MODES OF
TRANSMISSION
 Modes of Transmission
Fecal –oral route

Skin penetration

Sexual contact

Congenital transfer

Transmammary infection

Air-borne/Air droplets
DEFINITION
Mode of Transmission
PAANO?

Route of Transmission

SAAN?

Source of Infection
ANO?
TAKE NOTE!!!
Scientific names of parasites are to be done this way:

If in PRINT, it has to be ITALICIZED;

Ascaris lumbricoides

If in SCRIPT, it has to be UNDERLINED;

Ascaris lumbricoides