Parasites – Helminths

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Introduction.
Characteristics
 From Kingdom Animalia
 Multicellular
 Eukaryotic
 Bilaterally symmetrical
 May lack a digestive system
 Nervous system is reduced
 Means of locomotion is either reduced or
completely lacking
 Reproductive system is often complex

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Kinds of Helminths: Flatworms

 Live in or on hosts
 Mostly aquatic
 Have flattened bodies
 Hermaphrodite
 No circulatory system
 Have incomplete digestive system
 Examples: Taenia sp., tapeworms, flukes

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Free-Living Flatworm Life Cycle of Blood Fluke
Planaria (Schistosoma)

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Cestode (Tapeworm) Body Structure:
Scolex and Proglottids

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Kinds of Helminths: Roundworms

 Cylindrical bodies with tapered ends

 Lives in the intestine or circulatory of host
 Have a complete digestive system (mouth,
intestine, & anus)
 Dioecious
 Examples:
Hookworms, pinworms
Ascaris lumbricoides – from human feces

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Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)

Source: http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/a-h.html 8
Pinworm Eggs (Enterobius vermicularis)

Source: http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/a-h.html 9
Ascaris (Ascaris lumbricoides)

Source: http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/a-h.html 10
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Helminths & Other Parasites:
Food-Borne Illnesses They Cause
 Giardia lamblia – protozoa; cause
giardiasis; found in feces of wild animals,
domestic pets & infected persons
Cause: consumption of contaminated food or
water
Symptoms: Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and
nausea
Prevention: Practice good personal hygiene,
handwashing; use potable water supply

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Helminths & Other Parasites:
Food-Borne Illnesses They Cause
 Cryptosporidium parvum – protozoa;
cause cryptosporidiosis; found in the
intestines of cows, sheep, goats, deer, and
elk
Cause: consumption of contaminated food or
water
Symptoms: watery diarrhea, stomach cramps,
upset stomach, and slight fever
Prevention: Practice good personal hygiene,
handwashing; use potable water supply

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Helminths & Other Parasites:
Food-Borne Illnesses They Cause
 Cyclospora cayetanensis – protozoa;
cause of cyclosporiasis
Cause: consumption of contaminated fruits,
vegetables & water
Symptoms: watery diarrhea (sometimes
explosive), stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting,
muscle aches, low-grade fever, and fatigue
Prevention: Good sanitation, reputable
supplier

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Helminths & Other Parasites:
Food-Borne Illnesses They Cause
 Toxoplasma gondii – protozoa; cause of
toxoplasmosis; found in cats, rats, mice,
pigs, cows, sheep, chicken, birds
Cause: consumption of contaminated water,
raw fruits, vegetable & meat
Symptoms: swollen lymph glands and/or
muscle aches and pains
Prevention: Good sanitation, reputable
supplier, proper cooking

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Helminths & Other Parasites:
Food-Borne Illnesses They Cause
 Trichinella spiralis – roundworm; cause of
trichinosis; found in human feces
 Cause: consumption of raw or undercooked pork
products Symptoms: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fever,
& abdominal pain, headaches, eye swelling, aching
joints & muscles, weakness, & itchy skin. In severe
infections, persons may experience difficulty with
coordination & have heart & breathing problems.
 Prevention: Proper cooking of food

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Helminths & Other Parasites:
Food-Borne Illnesses They Cause
 Taenia saginata – flatworm; cause of
taeniasis; found in human feces
Cause: consumption of contaminated beef
Symptoms: abdominal pain, weight loss,
digestive disturbances, possible intestinal
obstruction & irritation of the peri-anal area
Prevention: Proper cooking of food

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Helminths & Other Parasites:
Food-Borne Illnesses They Cause
 Taenia solium – flatworm; cause of
taeniasis & cysticercosis; found in human
feces
Cause: consumption of contaminated pork
Symptoms: abdominal pain, weight loss,
digestive disturbances, possible intestinal
obstruction & irritation of the peri-anal area
Prevention: Proper cooking of food

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References:

Food Safety Inspection Service. (2001).

Parasites and Foodborne Illness. URL:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/parasite.
htm
. Accessed: 10/16/05
Tortora GJ, BR Funke, & CL Case. (1998).
Microbiology: An Introduction. Menlo
Park, CA: Addison-Wesley Longman, Inc.

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Quiz

 Giardia lamblia-
 Cryptosporidium parvum-
 Toxoplasma gondii -
 Trichinella spiralis -
 Taenia saginata –

Bonus – complete name of the current Dean

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