Parasitology Note 1
Parasitology Note 1
Parasitology Note 1
Chapter Outline:
Introduction & Terminology Life cycle of the Parasite
Parasites Transmission of the Parasite
Hosts Immunology of the Parasitic Disease
Vector Pathogenesis of the Parasite
Host-Parasite Relationship Laboratory diagnosis of the Parasitic diseases
EPIDEMIOLOGIC MEASURES
Epidemiology
- Study of patterns, distribution, and occurrence
Reservoir (Host)
of disease.
- A host harbouring pathogen that serves as the
Incidence
source of infective agent that transmits
- Number of new cases of infection appearing in a
infectious substance to human or another
population in a given period of time.
susceptible host without harming to itself. Often
Prevalence
no symptoms (Asymptomatic).
- Number (usually expressed as percentage) of
Carrier
individuals in a population estimated to be
- A person who is infected with parasite without
infected with particular parasite species at a
(any clinical or subclinical disease) manifesting
given time.
any signs and symptoms.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Example: All anthroponotic infections and vertical
Cumulative Prevalence transmission of congenital infections.
- Percentage of individuals in a population Exposure
infected with at least one parasite. - Process of inoculating an infective agent,
Morbidity infection connotes the establishment of the
- Clinical consequences of infection or disease infective agent in the host.
that affect an individual’s well-being. Prepatent Incubation Period (Biological Incubation
Endemic Period)
- Disease maintains a steady, moderate level. - Period between infection and acquisition of
Hyperendemic parasite and evidence demonstration of
- Prevalence of disease is high. infection.
Epidemic Entry of the infective third-stage larvae -> till the first
- Sharp rise in the incidence or an outbreak of appearance of microfilariae in circulation.
considerable intensity. 1. Initial exposure
Sporadic 2. Detection of microfilariae
- Disease appears occasionally in one or at most a Clinical Incubation Period
few members of the community. - Period between infection and evidence of
symptoms.
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NOTE
Entry of the infective larvae -> till the development Superimposition
of the earliest clinical manifestation. - Means high infection, e.g. Ascaris
1. Initial exposure lumbricoides.
2. Detection of microfilariae Scolex
3. Manifestation of clinical signs and - Head of tapeworm
symptoms Carl Lennaeus
Autoinfection (Self Infection) - Father of Taxonomy
- Results when an infected individual becomes his - Famous for creating a system of naming
own direct source of infection. plants and animals – binomial system of
- It is observed in Cryptosporidium parvum, nomenclature.
Taenia solium, Enterobius vermicularis, Species Name
Strongyloides stercoralis and Hymenolepis nana. - Genus + Specific Epithet (naming parasite)
- Finger-to-mouth transmission, e.g. pinworm – if not ITALICIZED then UNDERLINE
Generic Name
SUB CLASSIFICATION
- Single word in Initial Capitalized
Retroinfection (External Autoinfection) e.g. Enterobius Specific Name
vermicularis - Always begins with Small letter.
- From anus to colon, causes heavy parasitic load
in the host (continued infestation). The term "parasite" is usually applied to Protozoa
- Infection which occurs due to third stage larvae (Unicellular organisms) and Helminths (multicellular
organisms)
migrating back into the host.
Internal reinfection (Internal Autoinfection) e.g.
REMEMBER!!!
Strongyloides The names of the Genera and Species are ITALICIZED
- From anus to mouth or UNDERLINED when written.
- Happens by the pathogen already present within
the body.
Superinfection (Hyperinfection)
- Parasitic load is high
- When the already infected individual is further
infected with the same species leading to
massive infection with same parasite.
Co-infection
- Stimulates infection by multiple pathogens
species.
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Endoparasite can further be classified as: Aberrant Parasites/Wandering Parasites (e.g., Toxocara in
humans)
Obligate Parasite (e.g. Tapeworms, Toxoplasma gondii,
- They infect a host where they cannot live or
Plasmodium)
develop further. (Toxocara canis (dog
- The parasite, which cannot exist without a host.
roundworm) infecting humans.)
(They need a host at some stage of their life
Permanent Parasite
cycle to complete their development and to
- Remains on or in the body of the host for its
propagate their species.)
entire life.
Facultative Parasite (e.g. Naegleriafowleri,
Temporary Parasite
Acanthamoeba)
- Lives on the host only for a short period of time.
- They can live a parasitic life or free-living life,
Spurious Parasite
when the opportunity arises.
- Free-living organism that passes through the
Accidental/Incidental Parasite
digestive tract without infecting the host.
- Parasites, which infect an unusual host where it
Erratic Parasite (e.g. E. histolytica)
does not ordinarily live. (Echinococcus
- Invade body organs that they do not normally
granulosus infects man accidentally, giving rise
invade
to hydatid cysts.)
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Host
NOTES
- Defined as an organism, which harbors the
parasite and provides nourishment and shelter.
- In some parasites, two different intermediate
hosts may be required to complete different
The host may be of the following types: larval stages. These are known as first and
second intermediate hosts, respectively.
The host may be of the following types: Paratenic Host
Definitive/Final Host (e.g., filaria, roundworm, - It functions as a transport or carrier host
hookworm, anopheles species)
- Widen the parasite distribution and bridge
- One in which the parasite attains sexual the ecological gap between the definitive
maturity. (In taeniasis, for example, humans are and intermediate hosts.
considered the definitive host.) Obligate Host – Permanent
Intermediate Host Facultative Host – Temporary (CAN BE)
- harbors the asexual or larval stage of the Accidental Host– Unusual
parasite. (Pigs or cattle serve as intermediate Aberrant Host – Wandering
hosts of Taenia spp., while snails are hosts of Erratic Host – Unpredictable
Definitive – Adult (sexual)
Schistosoma spp.)
Paratenic – Larvae (asexual)
- (e.g., Amphibian snails are the first intermediate
Reservoir – mostly lower animals
host and aquatic plants are the second inter Carrier – Humans
mediate host for Fasciola hepatica) Accidental – Toxocana canis
Paratenic Host (e.g. fish for plerocercoid larva of D. lalum)
- The parasite does not develop further to later cantonensis, big suitable fish for plerocercoid
stages. (However, the parasite remains alive and larva of Diphyllobothrium latum and freshwater
is able to infect another susceptible host.) fishes for Gnathostoma spinigerum)
- (For example, Paragonimus metacercaria in raw Reservoir host
wild boar meat can pass through the intestinal - Allow the parasite’s life cycle to continue,
wall of humans and complete its development, harbors parasite and acts as an important source
fresh water prawn for Angiostrongylus of infection to other susceptible hosts and
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Direct life cycle (Simple) - Free-living parasites in water may directly enter
- A parasite requires only single host to complete through vulnerable sites (Naegleria may enter
its development. (e.g. Entamoeba histolytica through nasopharynx).
requires only a human host to complete its life Food
cycle.) - Ingestion of contaminated food or vegetables
Indirect life cycle (Complex) containing infeclive stage of parasite (amebic
- A parasite requires two or more species of host cysts, Toxoplasma oocysts, Echinococcus eggs).
to complete its development (e.g. malarial - Ingestion of raw or undercooked meat harboring
parasite requires both human host and infeclive larvae (measly pork containing
mosquito to complete its life cycle) cysticercus cellulosae, the larval stage of Taenia
SOURCES OF INFECTION solium).
Contaminated soil and water Vectors
- Soil polluted with embryonated eggs - A vector is an agent, usually an arthropod that
(roundworm, whipworm) may be ingested or transmits an infection from man to man or from
infected larvae in soil, may penetrate exposed other animals to man ( e.g. female Anopheles is
skin (hookworm). the vector of malarial parasite.)
- Infective forms of parasites present in water Carrier
may be ingested (cyst of amoeba and Giardia). - A person who is infected with parasite without
- Water containing the intermediate host may be any clinical or subclinical disease. (He can
swallowed (Cyclops containing guinea worm transmit parasite to others. For example, all
larva). anthroponotic infections, vertical
- Infected larvae in water may enter by transmission of congenital infections.
penetrating exposed skin (cercariae of Self (autoinfection)
schisotosomes). - Finger-to-mouth transmission, e.g. pinworm
internal reinfection, e.g. Strongyloides.
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The immune response against the parasitic infections ---------------------Pathogenesis of the Parasite-------------
depends on two factors:
Host factors
- Immune status, age, underlying disease, NOTES
nutritional status, genetic constitution and Acute – sudden & severe
various defence mechanisms of the host Chronic – existing; long duration; e.g. cancer &
Parasitic factors diabetes
- Size, route of entry, frequency of infection, Sub-acute – neither acute/chronic
parasitic load and various immune evasion Latent – waiting to wake up
mechanisms of the parasites. Reinfection – much severe compare to intinial
Broadly, the host immunity against the parasitic diseases
may be of two types:
Clinical infection produced by parasite may take
1. Protective immune response
many forms:
i. Innate immunity ii. Adaptive/acquired immunity
o Acute
2. Unwanted or harmful immune response
(hypersensitive reactions). o Subacute
o Chronic
Infection Immunity Or Premunition Or Concomitant o Latent
Immunity Or Incomplete Immunity o Recurrent
- Immunity lasts till the original infection remains The parasites can cause damage to humans in
active and prevents further infection. (Observed various ways
in malaria, schistosomiasis,trichinellosis, Mechanical trauma:
toxoplasmosis and Chagas’ disease.) Eggs: Trematode eggs being large in size, can be
Innate immunity deposited inside the intestinal mucosa
- resistance which an individual possesses by (Schistosoma mansoni), bladder (Schistosoma
birth, due to genetic and constitutional make-up haematobium), lungs (Paragonimus), liver (Fasciola
Acquired/Adaptive Immunity hepatica) and can cause mecha nical irritation.
- Resistance acquired by an individual during life Larvae: Migration of several helminthic larvae
following exposure to an agent. (Mediated by (hookworms, Strongyloides or Ascaris) in the lungs
antibody produced by B lymphocytes (humoral produce traumatic damage of the pulmonary
immune response) or by T cells (cell mediated capillaries leading to pneumonitis.
immune response) Adult worms: Adult worms of hookworm,
Unwanted or Harmful Immune Responses Strongyloides, Ascaris or Taenia get adhere to the
- Immune responses may be exaggerated or intestinal wall and cause mechanical trauma
inappropriate in the sensitized individuals on re- Space occupying lesions:
exposure to the same antigen; may be harmful - Certain parasites produce characteristic cystic
to the hosts causing tissue damage. lesion that may compress the surrounding
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