Symbiosis is the interaction between two different organisms in an environment and the effect they may have on each other, if any. When observed in nature, these encounters can illustrate the complex relationship among organisms and how their survival is directly affected. Neutralism, for instance, is a relationship in which neither of the interacting symbionts benefit nor suffer. Mutualism, on the other hand, is a relationship in which both symbionts are physiologically dependent on one another and benefit by association – the success of one organism is an overall success for both. Competition involves the continuous struggle for resources between two populations through which neither organism benefits. Predation, the interaction between predator
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As the name suggests, raccoons act as the definitive host. Infection can occur by either eating eggs during feeding and grooming activities or ingesting intermediate or transport hosts such as small animals and birds. The life cycle is ultimately completed when larvae develop into their adult forms, either male or female. Millions of eggs are shed in feces by female adult worms, and their resistance to environmental factors poses a serious problem for humans. Because humans are the incidental host of this parasite, third-stage larvae can have devastating effects on the body. Of the three parasites discussed, raccoon roundworm is most often associated with neural larva migrans, a severe disease that affects humans. Children in particular are commonly infected with this helminth (see Figure 1). This is possibly because they explore their world orally. Raccoons are known to defecate in shared spaces known as latrines. Areas such as rooftops, attics, chimneys, decks, lawns, stumps, and nearby trees are frequent locations for raccoon latrines. As a result, children accidentally come into contact with infectious eggs when interacting with their environment. Over ten cases of neural larva migrans has been reported in humans as of 2003, and most of these cases involve children less than two years
As the name suggests, raccoons act as the definitive host. Infection can occur by either eating eggs during feeding and grooming activities or ingesting intermediate or transport hosts such as small animals and birds. The life cycle is ultimately completed when larvae develop into their adult forms, either male or female. Millions of eggs are shed in feces by female adult worms, and their resistance to environmental factors poses a serious problem for humans. Because humans are the incidental host of this parasite, third-stage larvae can have devastating effects on the body. Of the three parasites discussed, raccoon roundworm is most often associated with neural larva migrans, a severe disease that affects humans. Children in particular are commonly infected with this helminth (see Figure 1). This is possibly because they explore their world orally. Raccoons are known to defecate in shared spaces known as latrines. Areas such as rooftops, attics, chimneys, decks, lawns, stumps, and nearby trees are frequent locations for raccoon latrines. As a result, children accidentally come into contact with infectious eggs when interacting with their environment. Over ten cases of neural larva migrans has been reported in humans as of 2003, and most of these cases involve children less than two years