BIO 24MT PARASITOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Giovanni Milanez
INTRODUCTION
Parasitology is the science that deals with the study of living
organism that depends on another organism for the purpose of
procuring food and securing protection. These organisms
which are usually smaller and weaker than the other organism
are known as parasites.
PARASITIC-INFECTION DISEASE
Parasites are organisms that obtain its food and shelter from
another organism and derive all the benefits from the
association. The organism that provides physical protection
and nourishment to the parasites is known as host.
endoparasitism that is the dwelling and feeding of a parasite
within a host. On the other hand infestation is associated with
TYPES OF HOSTS
1. Final or Definitive host - harbours the adult/sexual stage of
the parasites. (Examples: Man,Dog,Cat)
2. Intermediate host - harbours part or all the larval stages of
the parasites.
A. First intermediate host - harbors the early larval stages
of the parasites. (Ex. snail)
B. Second intermediate host - harbors the infective larval
stage of the parasite. (Ex. Fish, vegetables)
3. Reservoir host - other animals that harbors the same
species as that of man. These hosts ensures the continuity
of the life cycle of the parasites and act as additional source
of infection. (Ex. Rodents and pig)
4. Paratenic host - harbors the parasite in an arrested state of
development. However, the parasite is capable of
continuing its life cycle in suitable host. (Ex. Fresh water
prawn, crab)
HOST-PARASITE RELATIONSHIP
• In general, Parasitism includes any association in which an
organism depends upon another organism for its existence.
This type of association is far from a rare or unusual condition.
More important parasitism is not an abnormal condition nor it
is necessarily a pathogenic one.
• Host-Parasite association maybe temporary or a permanent
one. Parasitism is a process by which one organism, the
parasite, living for or part of its life cycle on or within another,
the host, obtains its energy or sustenance from the latter while
producing effects that range from no demonstrable effect to
severe pathology and death. Within the great range of
interorganismal relationships, all of which can be combined
under the term symbiosis, mutualism and commensalism.
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• Symbiosis is a close association between two organisms that
is permanent wherein one can not exist independently. On the
other hand, mutualism is an association that is beneficial to
both the parasites and the host in which one can still survive
even without the other. In commensalism only the parasite
benefit from the association while the host is unaffected.
Infection connotes a “take” in which the infective agent becomes
established in the host. Infection is associated with
ectoparasitism.
The distinction between parasitic infection and parasitic disease
is an important demonstration of the often- ignored truism that in
most instances infection is a necessary but not a sufficient
cause of disease.
In parasitic infection, the host usually shows mild symptoms and
suffers a little damage. On the other hand, in parasitic disease,
the host develops pathologic changes and exhibit symptoms of
varying degree.
In parasitic diseases, there maybe initial toxic manifestations,
high fever , evidence of inflammation, generalized or localized
pain and other physical signs of disease.
FACTORS AFFECTING TRANSMISSION OF PARASITES
1. the source of infection
2. an effective mode of transmission and portal of entry
3. the presence of a susceptible host
4. successful entry of the infective stage of the parasite
SOURCES OF EXPOSURE TO INFECTION
Based on sources of exposure to infection, parasites maybe
classified as follows:
1. Soil-Transmitted Group (STH- Soil Transmitted
Helminths)
These parasites require further development in the soil
before they become infective. Soil polluted with human excreta
is usually responsible for exposure to infection with Ascaris
lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Hookworms, etc.
2. Snail-Transmitted Group
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 These groups requires further development within the a. active larval penetration/skin penetration
body of snail which serve as their intermediate host before they Ex. Hookworms,Strongyloides,Schistosomes
can become infective. Example like flukes(Trematodes)
b. bite of arthropod vector
Ex. Plasmodium and Wuchereria
3. Arthropod-Transmitted Group
3. Others
Some specie of insects act as vectors of parasitic diseases such
as mosquitoes, sandfly and Tsetse fly. a. Genitals
Parasites are acquired through sexual
Vectors are organisms that transmit parasites to man and may intercourse.
serve as intermediate host or definitive host to some parasite.
There are two types of vectors: Ex. Trichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica

Biological vector - essential in the life cycle like b. Nose/Intranasal cavity

Anopheles.
Parasite are acquired through inhalation.
Mechanical/Phoretic vector – not essential in the life Ex. Enterobius vermicularis, Naegleria
cycle. Parasites such as Plasmodium and Filarial worms( e.g.
Wuchereria bancrofti) require vector. c. Transplacental
Parasites cross the placental barrier.
Ex. Toxoplasma gondii
4. Animal/Food-Transmitted Group

CLINICAL INCUBATION PERIOD AND BIOLOGICAL INCUBATION PERIOD

These groups requires further development in the flesh of some
animals that man consume. Raw pork maybe source of
infection with Trichinella spiralis and Taenia solium while raw
• Once the parasites has successfully entered the body of the
beef maybe source of Taenia saginata.
host, characteristically it is carried or actively migrates to a
location where it matures and produces progeny.
5. Contact-Transmitted Group
• Signs and symptoms will not be immediately manifested by
the individual after the process of inoculation(exposure),
Person to person transmission, wherein the parasites require no
although there are some infected individual that do not show
further development and are readily infective like Enterobius
any signs and symptoms and are known as carrier.
vermicularis and Trichomonas vaginalis.
• The interval between exposure to the parasites and the
appearance of the earliest signs and symptoms is referred to
6. One’s self (autoinfection)
as Clinical Incubation Period.
In this case, the infected person is his own source of re-
• On the other hand, the development of the parasite in a
exposure. There are two types of autoinfection, external and
particular host and demonstration of the stages of the
internal. Examples of parasite that can be acquired through
parasites in the different specimens is known as Biological
autoinfection are Enterobius vermicularis and Strongyloides
Incubation Period or Prepatent Period.
stercoralis.

LIFE CYCLE
PORTAL OF ENTRY AND MODE OF TRANSMISSION

Life cycle is the development of a parasite which involves the

1. Mouth
survival and development in the external environment and in
one or more hosts.
This is the common portal of entry of most intestinal parasites.
Parasite can enter the host’s body through
The life cycle of a parasite maybe simple or complicated and
can be divided into three major groups:
A. ingestion of the infective stage
(1)those with definitive host and without intermediate host
cyst of Entamoeba histolytica, embryonated
(2)those with definitive host and one intermediate host and
egg of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura
(3)those with definitive host and with two intermediate hosts.
B. intimate oral contact/kissing Ex. Trichomonas tenax
Parasites having no intermediate host are transmitted directly
from man to man(or animal to animal),usually through fecally
2. Skin
contaminated food or water.
Some parasites enter the body of the host through the ff:

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Parasite requiring intermediate host/s usually select a large
mammals, crustaceans, insect vectors, fish or vegetable to
complete their life cycle.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of parasitic infection or diseases has two methods of
approach:
1. Clinical Diagnosis
This method of diagnosis is based on the
recognition of the characteristic signs and
symptoms of the infection of disease.
2. Laboratory diagnosis
This method is based on the identification of
the parasites in the different specimens.
TREATMENT
The successful treatment of the infected patient includes use of
chemotherapeutic agents, surgical intervention and adequate
nutrition to build up general resistance.
The following points must be considered before proceeding with
the treatment:
a. severity, duration and intensity of infection and the
probability of reinfection
b. efficacy, availability, toxicity and acceptability of the
treatment
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Epidemiology is the body of knowledge that concerns diseases
in human population or communities rather than in individuals.
It may include the study of the manifestations of any diseases,
which happens to attack groups of individual at any time. It is
also concerned with the relationships of various factors and
conditions, which determine frequencies and distribution of an
infectious process, a disease or a physiological state in a
human community.
Distribution of Diseases
1. Endemic: when a disease in human population maintains a
relatively steady, moderate level
2. Epidemic - if there is a sharp rise in the incidence or an
out- break of considerable intensity occurs.
3. Hyperendemic: if the prevalence of a disease in a
community is high.
4. Sporadic: if it appears only occasionally in one or at most
few members of a community
5. Pandemic: the disease covers extensive area of the world.
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
The prevention of parasitic disease depends upon the erection
of barriers to the spread of parasites through the practical
application of biologic and epidemiological knowledge.
The control of parasitic diseases includes the following
procedures:
1. reduction of the sources of infection in human
beings by therapeutic measures
2. education in personal prophylaxis to prevent
dissemination of infection and to reduce
opportunities for exposure
3. sanitary control of water, food and proper waste
disposal
4. destruction or control of reservoir hosts and
vectors
5. erection of biologic barriers to the transmission of
parasites
CLASSIFICATION OF PARASITES
A. According to habitat
1. Endoparasite: those that live within the body of the
host.
2. Ectoparasite: those that live outside or on the
surface of the body of the host.
B. According to its effects to the host
1. Pathogenic: cause injury by its mechanical,
traumatic or toxic activities
2. Non-pathogenic: derives benefits from the host
without causing any considerable damage or harm.
C. According to mode of living
1. Obligate: takes up a permanent residence and is
completely dependent upon its host for existence
throughout its life.
2. Facultative: capable of leading both free and
parasitic existence under favorable or appropriate
circumstances.
3. Incidental: one that establishes itself in a host in
which it does not ordinarily lives
4. Temporary: free living during part of existence and
seeks only its host intermittently to obtain nourishment.
5. Permanent: remains on or in the body of the host
from early life to Maturity.
6. Spurious or: one which parasitizes other hosts and
Coprozoic recovered in a living or dead state from
human excreta; no further development and do not
cause injury or damage.
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D. According to groups

1. Single-celled parasites: Protozoa

2. Multicellular worms: Metazoa

3. Arthropods: Animaliaoi

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