Host Types

Host Types
HOST:
• an organism which harbors the parasite

and
• provides nourishment and shelter
1. PRIMARY HOST or DEFINITIVE HOST:
• harbours the adult stage or sexually mature stage of a parasite
• in which the parasite undergoes sexual reproduction.
• obligatory to life cycle of the parasite
• e.g., Man is the primary host for Wuchereria bancrofti
Female anopheles mosquito is the primary host for Plasmdium vivax.
2. SECONDARY HOST or INTERMEDIATE HOST:
• harbours the developing larval or immature or asexual stages of a parasite
• in which the parasite undergoes asexual reproduction.
• obligatory to life cycle of the parasite
• e.g, Man is the secondary host for Plasmodium vivax,
Female culex mosquito is the secondary host for Wuchereria bancrofti.

3. RESERVOIR HOST/ CARRIER HOST:
• lodges the infective stages of a parasite in its body when the main host is not available.
• serves as a temporary refuge till it reaches its appropriate host
• the parasite neither undergoes development nor causes any disease.
• it serves as a source of infection for other susceptible hosts
• shows no symptom of the disease
• e.g., Monkey for plasmodium
African antelope for Trypanosoma gambiency
4. PARATENIC HOST/ ACCIDENTAL HOST/ TRANSPORT HOST:
• an accidental host serving as a holding place for a parasite
• the larval stage of the parasite survives in the host but does not develop further
• it is not a necessary part of the life cycle but they serve to bridge the ecological
gap between the intermediate and the definitive host
• play a major role in spreading many parasite species.
• Dead end for the parasite- larvae do not reproduce in these hosts, but die
For example, dogs and pigs may carry hookworm eggs from one place to another, but
the eggs do not hatch or pass through any development in these animals.
4. VECTOR:
transfers the infective stages of a parasite from one main host to another
Vectors are of two types , namely;
A) Mechanical vector
B) Biological vector.
A) MECHANICAL VECTOR/ CARRIER:

• Indirect: pathogen carried on body parts
which merely transfers the infective stages of a parasite
• Direct: from infectious site to another host
but no part of the parasitic development takes place in it.
not essential in life cycle of parasite
e.g., Houseflies and Cockroaches in the case of Entamoeba.
B) BIOLOGICAL VECTOR:
in which the parasite undergoes a part of the development before it gets transferred to another host.
e.g., Female anopheles mosquito in the case of Plasmodium and
Female culex mosquioto in the case of Wuchereria.
• Propagative: no cynical change,only multiplication; plague

• Cyclopropagative: multiplication and cyclical changes; malaria
• Cyclodevelopmental: no multiplication; development takes place; filariasis
Evolution of Parasitism
Origin and Evolution of Parasitism:
Parasitism dates back to ancient geological time and arose soon after the differentiation
of life began in the world. Parasitism is a secondary mode of life. It has arisen from
free living way of life. This get together of different individuals started with comparatively
smaller animals occasionally taking shelter temporarily on the body of some larger forms.
When this temporary shelter was repeatedly used, the association of two organisms
became more intimate and the smaller organisms got not only shelter, but also free
transport and a bit of nourishment from the host, of course, without doing any harm
to the host body.
Still later, the weak organism started living within the body of the host without doing any
harm to the host. Finally they started to feed on the body tissues of the host so that the
latter has to suffer with some harm. This association has been called parasitism.
It may be presumed that the parasite first confines itself to the external surface of the
body and is called ectoparasite. The ectoparasites may gradually change to
endoparasites when they get their entire nourishment from the host.
Naegleria fowleri
Trichina
Dog Flea Naegleria fowleri
● Occasional or Accidental parasite: Attacks an unusual host. For example,
Dipilidium caninum, which uses the man as definitive host, is an occasiona
parasite. In usual conditions the dog is the usual definitive host. 
● Wandering or Aberrant parasite: Happens to reach a place where it canno

live. For instance, Toxocara canis in man may present in larval form
(infective egg → migrated larva in internal organs). The complete cycle of
development takes place only in the body of dogs: infective egg → migrated
larva in lung → adult in small intestine.
● Opportunistic parasite: that is capable of producing disease in an immune

deficient host (like AIDS and cancer patients). In the immuno-competent host,
it is either found in a latent form or causes a self limiting disease e.g.
Toxoplasma gondii
ample, Trypanosoma causes drowsiness, sleep or even coma in man.
Parasitic Adaptations:
Parasitic Adaptation and Effects on Parasites
them shape of the body becomes

are listed below. flattened like a leaf or a ribbon so that they can fit in
Due to the parasitic mode of life, certain adaptations occur in the parasites.
ome ofThe
1. the spaces
Typical where
epidermis they
is absent have their
in endoparasites. habitat.
In its place a thick cuticle
egument) is present (Fig. 19). It protects the parasites against the action of
gestive enzymes of the host.
cuticle/tegument
Fig. 19. Dermomuscular sac of Trematoda.

2. Some endoparasites secrete antienzymes to neutralize the action of
gestive enzymes of their hosts.
3. Endoparasites do not have organs of locomotion. However, ectoparasites
ossess locomotory organs.Organs of Attachment
4. Parasites have developed structures like hooks, suckers and teeth (Fig. 20).
hey help the parasite to attach firmly to the internal organs of the host.
lay large number of eggs.

18
Fig. 20. Special organs of fixation in Tape worms.
5. Sense organs and nervous system are reduced in endoparasites. However,
polyembryony and parthenogenesis they are well developed in ectoparasites.
6. Digestive tract and digestive glands are reduced in endoparasites. However,
some like Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) and Schistisoma (Blood fluke) do have
Degenerative changes
organs of locomotion.
Sense organs and nervous system are reduced in endoparasites.

However, they are well developed in ectoparasites.
Digestive tract and digestive glands

Physiological changes
antienzymes to neutralize the action of digestive enzymes of their hosts.
Cestodes stimulate the gut of the host to secrete mucus

which forms a protective envelope around the tapeworms
respire anaerobically.
body fluids of parasites are isotonic to those of their hosts.
Parasites find means of passing out fertilised eggs from the host into suitable place
the eggs have thick shells which are protective and prevent desiccation.
Most parasites have one or more intermediate hosts which act as transmitting agents t
new final hosts.

Host Types

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Host Types

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Host Types

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Host Types

• an organism which harbors the parasite

• harbours the adult stage or sexually mature stage of a parasite

• in which the parasite undergoes sexual reproduction.

• obligatory to life cycle of the parasite

• e.g., Man is the primary host for Wuchereria bancrofti

Female anopheles mosquito is the primary host for Plasmdium vivax.

2. SECONDARY HOST or INTERMEDIATE HOST:

• harbours the developing larval or immature or asexual stages of a parasite

• in which the parasite undergoes asexual reproduction.

• obligatory to life cycle of the parasite

• e.g, Man is the secondary host for Plasmodium vivax,

Female culex mosquito is the secondary host for Wuchereria bancrofti.

• serves as a temporary refuge till it reaches its appropriate host

• the parasite neither undergoes development nor causes any disease.

• it serves as a source of infection for other susceptible hosts

• shows no symptom of the disease

• e.g., Monkey for plasmodium

African antelope for Trypanosoma gambiency

4. PARATENIC HOST/ ACCIDENTAL HOST/ TRANSPORT HOST:

• an accidental host serving as a holding place for a parasite

gap between the intermediate and the definitive host

• play a major role in spreading many parasite species.

Vectors are of two types , namely;

A) Mechanical vector

B) Biological vector.

A) MECHANICAL VECTOR/ CARRIER:

not essential in life cycle of parasite

e.g., Houseflies and Cockroaches in the case of Entamoeba.

B) BIOLOGICAL VECTOR:

e.g., Female anopheles mosquito in the case of Plasmodium and

Female culex mosquioto in the case of Wuchereria.

• Propagative: no cynical change,only multiplication; plague

● Wandering or Aberrant parasite: Happens to reach a place where it canno

● Opportunistic parasite: that is capable of producing disease in an immune

them shape of the body becomes

Fig. 19. Dermomuscular sac of Trematoda.

lay large number of eggs.

Sense organs and nervous system are reduced in endoparasites.

Digestive tract and digestive glands

antienzymes to neutralize the action of digestive enzymes of their hosts.

Cestodes stimulate the gut of the host to secrete mucus

body fluids of parasites are isotonic to those of their hosts.

You might also like