Parasites: Characteristics And General Information

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Parasitology

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The study of invertebrates that are human pathogens.

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Unicellular protozoan

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One of two categories of protozoa that are human pathogens.

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multicellular protozoan

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One of two categories of protozoa that are parasitic human pathogens.

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metazoan

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A category of multicellular motile organisms whose cells have differentiated into various tissues and organs; includes helminths and arthropods.

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sporozoan

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One of four phyla of protozoans that are pathogenic parasites; it is nonmotile and known to have an alternating asexual and sexual life cycle; also called apicomplexa organism.

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Ciliophora

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The phylum that possess cilia, which are similar to but shorter than flagella, arranged in rows on the cell that aid in motility and bring food particles to the mouth of the cell.

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Microspora

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Small intracellular parasites that are transmitted either by an intermediate host or by direct contact with another infected individual.

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sarcomastigophora

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One of four phyla that are pathogenic parasites to humans; includes the amebas and flagellates.

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helminth

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A parasitic roundworm or flatworm.

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arthropod vectors

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Insect carriers, such as mosquitoes, that transmit microorganisms.

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roundworm

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An organism that is a member of the phylum Nematoda; it often infects the intestinal tract.

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flatworm

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A type of intestinal worm that belongs to the phylum Platyhelminthes.

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Cestoidea

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Tapeworm, an intestinal parasite.

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tapeworm

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Cestoidea, an intestinal parasite.

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Trematoda

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Fluke, a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes.

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fluke

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A flatworm that belongs to the class Trematoda.

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host

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An organism infected by a pathogen, often serving as the source of food supply to support the viability of the pathogen.

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infestation

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The presence of ectoparasites, such as lice, on the body.

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infection

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The invasion and growth of opportunistic and/or pathogenic microorganisms in the body.

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peristome

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An anatomical region of flagellates and ciliates that assists in the ingestion of food.

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cytostome

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Opening or mouth located at the posterior end of a cell.

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cyst

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A sac with a wall that contains fluid or other material.

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oocyst

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A stage in sporozoan development in which after fertilization a zygote is produced that develops an enclosing cyst wall; oocysts of malarial parasites are seen in the stomachs of the infected Anopheles mosquito.

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mitotic fission

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A type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells containing the diploid number of chromosomes characteristic of the species; commonly seen in protozoans.

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schizogony

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A type of multiple fission in which the nucleus is divided several times by mitotic fission and the cytoplasm is distributed among the daughter cells.

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budding

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A type of asexual reproduction in which the cell develops a projection that separates from the parent and develops a projection that separates from the parent and develops into a sister organism.

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conjugation

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The process in which genetic information is transferred through cell-to-cell contact between bacteria.

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gametocyte

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A female or male protozoan cell.

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cross-fertilization

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The union of gametes from different species or varieties to form hybrids.

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self-fertilization

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Contains chemical inhibitors that prevent the growth of certain species of microbes while allowing the desired species to grow.

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hermaphrodite

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An organism that contains both female and male reproductive organs.

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complex life cycle

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The life cycle of parasites that rely on one or more intermediate hosts and final host for survival.

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simple life cycle

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Life cycle of parasites with a single host that are transmitted by either direct contact or ingestion of cysts.

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giardial malabsorption syndrome

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The collection of abnormalities caused by an infection with Giardia, including abdominal discomfort, abdominal gas, diarrhea, damage to the intestinal mucosa, and inhibition of the absorption of lipids.

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ascariasis

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An infection caused by the parasitic worm Ascaris lumbricoides, identified by the presence of infective eggs in the feces.