LECTURE NOTES IN PARASITOLOGY (INTRO) Symbiosis living together;-a close association between two organisms(usually of different species) Interactions

of symbionts: 1. phoresis two symbiontsaremerely travelling together; no physiologicalor biochemical dependence on the part of either participant; usually one phoront is smaller that the other and is mechanically carried about by the larger companion 2. mutualism- in which both partners are metabolically dependent uponeach other and one cannot live without the help of the other; however, none of the partners suffers any harm from the association. e.g. termites and intestinal protists (flagellated ptotozoa which depend entirely on a carbohydrate diet, acquire their nutrients from termites). In return they are capable of synthesizing and secreting cellulases; thecellulose digesting enzymes, which are utilized by termites in their digestion. 3. Commensalism an association in which the commensal takes the benefit without causing injury to the host. e.g.most of the normal floras of the humans body can beconsidered as commensals 4. Parasitism - an association where one of the partners is harmed and the other lives atthe expense of the other e.g. Worms like Ascarislumbricoidesreside in the gastrointestinal tract of man, and feed on important items of intestinal food causing various illnesses. Hyperparasite a parasite parasitizing another parasite 5. Predation tion-predator destroys the prey e.g. cats and mice; eagle and chick

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Branches of Parasitology: 1.Bacteriology 2. Virology 3.Protozoology 4.Helminthology 5.Epidemiology 6.Pathology 7. Medical Entomology 8. Public Health Aspects of Parasitism Parasitism- method of existence which is the single most successful lifestyle on the planet; it can exert an enormous influence on ecosystems. Parasite - is a living organism, which takes its nourishment and other needs from a host; Host - is an organism which supports the parasite. Factors favoring parasitism: 1.synanthropy-a close association with man without actually feeding on him. e.g. house flies, cockroaches,ants,silverfish, firebrats, beetles, clothesmoth, etc. 2.Secondaryhematophagy- feeding on blood at the sites of accidental injury, or where blood oozes from an arthropods wound. e.g. diptera-need protein for the devt. of the eggs 3. Haematoklepty a form of cannibalism in which one arthropod feeding on the contents of another recentlyengorged arthropod. e.g. certain bugs 4. Phoresy the transfer of arthropod vector from one host to another by attaching to a passing animal e.g. chewing louse attached to the mouth of a louse fly 5. Size small size of endoparasites 6.Dietary requirement for protein- common among insects 7.Other factors - health status of the host, social factors, geographical factors, Effects of parasitism on the host: A. Injurious effects (direct effects of the parasite on the host) 1. Mechanical injury 1a. physical destruction- cut through the skin 1b. obstruction or blocking various ducts 1c. parasite brings pressure on the organ as it grows larger page 2 2. chemical injury 2a. Deleterious effect of toxic substances- in Plasmodium falciparum production of toxic substances may cause rigors and other symptoms; 2b. production of excretory substances which inhibit cell functione.g. hyperthropy; hyperplasia 2c. Excretory substances which may result to abnormal multiplication of cells 3. Indirect injury parasite carrying another parasite 4. Parasites bring diseases 5. Parasites bring about starvation to the host B. Defensive effects of the host 1. host produces temporary inflammation 2. encapsulation of the invaded area 3. when the host is invaded, the area is repaired 4. host produces antibodies 5.host evades parasites- e.g. boil water C. Beneficial effects on the host 1. brings about mutualism 2. benefits many organisms for shelter 3. vital to medicine and public health Types of Parasites: A. Based on body location A1.ectoparasites- found on the body the host A2.endoparasites-found within the body of the host B. Based on the effect of parasite on the host): B1. non-pathogenic B2. pathogenic C. Based on dependence of parasites on the host: C1. facultative parasites relationship is only occasional e.g. scavenger flies

C2. obligatory parasites-parasite always dependent on the host for its devt. C3. temporary parasites visits the host for a short time to feed C4. Incidental parasite if an organism accidentally acquires an unnatural host and survives C5. Erratic parasite- one that wanders into an organ in which it is not usually found C6. Periodic or sporadic parasite- is one that visits the host intermittently to obtain some metabolic requirements; remains in the host for only a part of its devt. and then leaves to complete it and continue a nonparasitic life. C7.Stationary parasite- visits its host for food, having satisfied its hunger, it leaves C8.Permanent parasite-spends its entire existence in the host except fr the times it occurs free while transferring from one host to another C9.Continuous parasite- infests one host. e.g. sucking louse Types of Hosts: 1. Definitive or final host parasite obtains sexual maturity in it 2. Intermediate host- serves as a temporary environment but is necessary for the completion of the parasites life cycle. 3. Transfer or paratenic host- if its not necessary for the completion of the parasites life cycle (utilized as temp. refuge) 4. Paratenic host- harbors the parasite in an arrested state of devt. 5. Reservoir host becomes infected and serves as a source from which other animals can be infected e.g. aside from man, monkeys can be reservoir hosts for filarial worm Adaptations of parasites: 1. Morphological adaptations : a. Feeding apparatus b. Flattening of the entire body c. Loss of wings in ectoparasites- for easier movement on the skin d. modification of legs 1) reduced in size in mites and ticks 2) 1st pair - function like antenna ; in mites and ticks 3) modified for clinging- e.g. in lice page 3 e. Eyes are reduced or entirely wanting e.g. in fleas and acarins f. Reduction of the size of antennae-e.g. in flea, lice g. Anchoring structure- in the mouthparts of ectoparasites with prolonged attachment to the skin h. Extensibility of the gut and body wall i. In aquatic ectoparasites, scales on the dorsal surface of seal lice for air storage. j. hold-fast structure or suckers k. Thick cuticle 2. Reproductive adaptations a. multiple reproductive organs b. increase egg production c. hermaphroditism . d. attachment mechanisms of the eggs e. short generation time f. viviparity e.g. in parasitic dipterans 3. Biochemical adaptations a. salivary secretions contain anticoagulins permitting prolonged feeding e.g in blood-feedingparasites b. toxins inactivate hosts defenses; causes paralysis in the host Geographical distribution of parasites: Some are limited to certain areas Cosmopolitan distributed throughout the world; esp. those which do not need intermediate host Some are distrib. due to habits and some environmental conditions Cosmo-tropically distrib.; those which need intermediate host e.g. in modern areas; theres transport