Introduction To Parasitology

Introduction to parasitology
Dr. Tahmina Monowar

Topic Outcomes:
At the end of this lecture, student should be able to:
• Restate the basic concepts of parasitology.
• Define the various terms related to basic parasitology.
• Describe the classification of parasites.
• Discuss the mode of transmissions of medically important
parasitic infections.
1.Geographical
distribution
7.Prevention
& Control 2. Morphology
6.Treatment 3.Life cycle
5. Laboratory 4. Host-
diagnosis parasite
relationship
• Medical parasitology: Medical Parasitology is the branch of
medical sciences dealing with organisms (parasites) which live
temporarily or permanently, on or within the human body (host).
• Parasite: A living organism which receives nourishment and
shelter from another organism where it lives.
• Parasitism: An association in which the parasite derives benefit
and the host gets nothing in return but always suffers some injury.
• Ecto-parasite: A parasitic organism that lives on the outer surface of its host, e.g.,
lice, ticks, mites.
• Endo-parasite: Parasites that live inside the body of their host, e.g.,
Entamoeba histolytica.
• Obligate Parasite: This parasite is completely dependent on the host during a
segment or all of its life cycle; e.g., Plasmodium spp.
• Facultative parasite : An organism that exhibits both parasitic and non-parasitic
modes of living and hence does not absolutely depend on the parasitic way of
life; e.g., Naegleria fowleri.
• Host: An organism which harbours the parasite.
• Definitive host: Either harbours the adult stage of parasite or where the parasite utilises
the sexual method of reproduction. In the majority of human parasitic infections, man is
the definitive host.
• Intermediate host: The intermediate host is one in which the asexual cycle occurs or the
larva is present. In some cases, larval developments are completed in two different
intermediate hosts, which are being referred to as first and second intermediate hosts,
respectively. In malaria and hydatid disease, man act as intermediate host.
• Paratenic host: A carrier or transport host where the parasite remains viable without
further development.
• Carrier: The person who is infected with the parasite but without any clinical or sub
clinical disease is called a carrier.
• Incubation period: The time interval between initial contact with an infectious agent and
appearance of first sign and symptom of a disease.
• Reservoir: Any person, animal, arthropod, plant, soil and substance in which an
infectious agent normally lives and multiplies, on which depends primarily for survival
and where it reproduces itself in such a manner that it can be transmitted to a susceptible
host.
• Infective form: Transmission of the parasite from one host to another is effected by
certain forms which known as infective stages. Infective form may be cyst, egg, larvae
etc.
Parasites
Protozoa Helminths
Intestinal e.g., Entamoeba Urogenital Nematodes

Cestodes Trematodes
histolytica, Giardia Blood and Tissue e.g., e.g., Ascaris
e.g., e.g.,
lamblia, Cryptosporidium e.g., Plasmodium Trichomonas lumbricoides,
Taenia Schistosoma
parvum falciparum, vaginalis Ancylostoma
saginata, haematobium
Plasmodium vivax, duodenale,
Taenia ,Schistosoma
Plasmodium Brugia
solium mansoni
knowlesi, malayi
Toxoplasma gondii,
Leishmania
donovani
Flow chart shows Classification of medically important parasites
PROTOZOA
• Protozoa are single-celled animals, ranging in size from 2 to 100 nm. Many
species are free-living, but others are important parasites of humans. Some
free-living species can infect humans opportunistically.
• Protozoa continue to multiply in their host until controlled by its immune
response or by treatment and
• thus may cause particularly severe disease in immunocompromised
individuals.
• Protozoal infections are most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions,
but also occur in temperate regions.
• Protozoa may cause disease directly (e.g. the rupture of red cells in
malaria), but more often the pathology is caused by the host's response.
• Of all parasites, malaria presents the biggest and most severe global
problem and kills > 1.5 million people each year, mostly young children.
ROUTES OF TRANSMISSION OF PROTOZOA
• Protozoa use a variety of routes to infect humans

• Many extracellular protozoa are transmitted
• by ingestion of food or water contaminated with transmission stages such
as cysts,
• but Trichomonas vaginalis is transmitted through sexual activity, and the
trypanosomes by insect vectors.
• The most important intracellular species – Plasmodium and Leishmania
are also insect transmitted,
• but others ( Toxoplasma ) can be acquired by ingestion or from the mother
in utero ( Table 1 ).
Table-1:Summary of the location, transmission and diseases caused by protozoan parasites
Fig: 1 The occurrence of protozoan parasites in the body.
*Can also occur in other sites. CNS, central nervous system.
Cyst and trophozoites of E. histolytica
Cyst and trophozoites of G. lamblia

Cyst Trophozoite
Cyst Trophozoite
Malarial parasites inside RBC

HELMINTHS
• The term „helminth‟ is used for all groups of parasitic worms. Three main
groups are important in humans: the tapeworms (Cestoda), the flukes
(Trematoda or Digenea) and the roundworms (Nematoda).
• The first two belong to the Platyhelminths or flatworms; the third are included
in a separate phylum.
• Platyhelminths have flattened bodies with muscular suckers and/or hooks for
attachment to the host.
• Nematodes (roundworms) have long cylindrical bodies and generally lack
specialized attachment organs. Helminths are generally large organisms with a
complex body organization.
• Although invading larval stages may measure only 100–200 µm, adult worms
may be centimetres or even metres long.
• Infections are commonest in warmer countries, but intestinal species also occur
in temperate regions.
Table: Differences among Cestodes, Trematodes and Nematodes
Different terms in Helminthology
• Viviparous: giving birth to larva. e.g.,W. bancrofti, B. malayi.
• Oviparous: laying eggs. e.g., A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura
• Ovo-viviparous: laying eggs containing larva which are immediately hatched out. e.g.,
S. stercoralis
• Filariform larva: the length of oesophagus is long compared to the length of larva; its
posterior end is not dilated like a bulb. (Fig A)
• Rhabditiform larva: the length of oesophagus is short compared to the length of larva
and its posterior end is dilated like a bulb. (Fig B)
A B
Transmission of helminths occurs in four distinct
ways.
Transmission routes are summarized in Figure 2 .
Infection can occur after:
• swallowing infective eggs or larvae via the
faecal–oral route
• swallowing infective larvae in the tissues of
another host
• active penetration of the skin by larval stages
• the bite of an infected blood-sucking insect
vector
Figure 2 : How helminths enter the body.

Table 2: Summary of the location, transmission and other hosts used by cestodes (tapeworms)that infect humans
Table 3: Summary of the location and transmission of Trematodes (flukes) that infect humans
Table 4: Summary of the location and transmission of nematodes that infect humans
EGG WORM
• Cestode (Tapeworm):
(Taenia solium)
• Trematode:
(Schistosoma mansoni)
• Nematode:
(Roundworm)
(eggs of: Ascaris,
Trichuris & Hookworm)
References
• “In book: Encyclopedia of Life Support System (EOLSS-UNESCO)Edition: year 2012Chapter: Introduction
To Medical ParasitologyEditors: Prof” V. Kotchetkov.
• Basic Concept of Parasitology Issuu.com. Available at:

https://issuu.com/ernie974/docs/basic_concepts_in_parasitology (Accessed: January 25, 2021).
• Bpums.ac.ir. Available at: https://www.bpums.ac.ir/UploadedFiles/CourseFiles/2 afa1a071.pdf(Accessed:

January 25, 2021).
• Entamoeba et al. Introduction to Parasites, Slideplayer.com. Available at:

https://slideplayer.com/slide/12349068/ (Accessed: January 27, 2021).
• Goering, R. (2012) Mims‟ medical microbiology: With STUDENT CONSULT online access. 5th ed. London,
England: W B Saunders.
• Chatterjee, K. D. (2009) Parasitology Protozoology & Helminthology. New Delhi, India: CBS Publishers &
Distributors.
THANK YOU

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Dr. Tahmina Monowar

6.Treatment 3.Life cycle

Intestinal e.g., Entamoeba Urogenital Nematodes

• Protozoa use a variety of routes to infect humans

Cyst and trophozoites of G. lamblia

Malarial parasites inside RBC

Figure 2 : How helminths enter the body.

• Basic Concept of Parasitology Issuu.com. Available at:

• Bpums.ac.ir. Available at: https://www.bpums.ac.ir/UploadedFiles/CourseFiles/2 afa1a071.pdf(Accessed:

• Entamoeba et al. Introduction to Parasites, Slideplayer.com. Available at:

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