Term
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Definition
One member, the parasite, lives in or on another oragnism, the hosts, at the expense of that organism
The host may or may not be killed |
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Term
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Definition
"living together"
Any plant, animal, protist or helminth that is intimately associated with another organism of a different species; each member is termed a symbiont
A fetus is not a parasite or symbiont b/c they are the same species |
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Term
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Definition
Phoresis
Commensalism
Mutualism
Predation
Parasitism |
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Term
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Definition
-means traveling together
A smaller organism, termed the phoront, is carried mechanically by the host.
ex/ bacteria, fungus, mites or leech carried on your skin |
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Term
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Definition
-when one symbiont, the commensal, benefits and the other animal is neither helped nor harmed
True commensalism difficult to find, and my not even actually exist. Close inspections usually reveal either a mutualistic or parasitic association |
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Term
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Definition
Each member, a mutualist, depends upon the other; obligatory or facultative.
Ex/ flagellates produce cellulase in gut of termites |
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Term
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Definition
one member, the predator, benefits and a smaller organism, the prey, is harmed; usually eaten
The preditor/prey relationship is not usually considered a type of symiosis, but it technically falls under the definition |
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Term
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Definition
the study of the relationship between a parasite and its host
Parasitic relationships may be temporary, facultative or obligatory |
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Term
Basic types of Parasitism |
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Definition
Ectoparasite: live on the surgface of the host. Animals are infested not infected. EX/ ticks, lice, fleas
Endoparasite: live within the host. Animals are infected.
Ex/ roundworms and tapeworms in gut
Hyperparasite: parasite within a parasite |
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Term
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Definition
-Transmits parasites from host to host
Biological Vector: are organisms which transmit parasites (mosquitoes infected with malaria)
Mechanical Vector: nonliving transmitters of parasite stages (bed clothing containing lice or spoon containing pinworm)
- same thing as vehicle |
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Term
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Definition
host in which parasite reaches sexual maturity and reproduces |
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Term
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Definition
involved with some development but the parasite does not reach sexual maturity; often asexual stages or larval stages
EX/ Plasmodium falciparum which causes Malaria undergoes its sexual stages inteh mosquito, making humas the intermediate host. |
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Term
Paratenic (Transport) Host |
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Definition
- host where the parasite continues to live and is infective to next host but no parasite development takes place. |
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Term
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Definition
Non-human animals that serve as sources of infection to humans
Ex/ man acquires the infection from eating raw fish containing parasites. |
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Term
High Reproductive Potential |
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Definition
1. Multiple fission: in protozoa (Eimeria oocyst)
2. Hermaphrodism: of trematodes
3. Parthenogenesis: in Strongylodies spp.
4. Strobilation: of tapeworms high ova output
5. High ova/larval output: of many worms |
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Term
Unique morphological or physiological specializations of Parasites |
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Definition
1. loss of digestive tract of tapeworms
2. loss of wings of fleas and lice
3. loss of many sensory structures of nematodes
4. development of tegument
5. development of special holdfast organs, ex/ hooks
6. production of anti-coagulants in leeches |
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Term
Unique features of Parasites |
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Definition
1. Oftenspecial site specificity
2. Usually, but not always, non-lethal to host
3. Generally more numerous than hosts
4. Generally much smaller than host
(if larger, then termed a predator)
5. Often have evolved methods of evading host immune system |
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Term
How do parasites evade the Host's Immune System |
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Definition
1. Antigenic variation (Trypanosoma)
2. Tough tegument (acanthocephalans)
3. Intracellular habitat (coccidia)
4. Antigen acquisition/mimicry (shistosomes)
5. Suppression eosinophil or neutrophil migration to the site of the parasite (Onchocerca sp.)
6. Encystment (Trematode metacercarial cysts)
7. Ability to cleave antibodies or consume complement
8. Trigger immune response
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Term
Pathology Due to Parasite Infection is Variable:
Physical Trauma |
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Definition
1. migration of nematodes through tissues
2. ulceration of intestinal wall and liver by cysteine proteases of Entamoeba histolytica
3. displacement of tissue or structures by hydatids
4. protease digestion of epithelial cells by Trichomonas vaginalis
5. ulceration due to insertion of hooks, spines into intestinal wall |
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Term
Pathology Due to Parasite Infection is Variable:
Nutritional Diversion |
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Definition
1. giardiasis results in diarrhea
2. malabsorption (Diphyllobothrium absorbts vit B12) |
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Term
Pathoogy Due to Parasite Infection is Variable:
Toxins/Excretory products/ Immune complexes |
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Definition
1. African trypanosomes slough antigen/Ab complexes that are absorbed by RBC's; complement is activated
2. Massive RBC lysis (excretory products of some trematodes and cestodes causing anaphylaxis)
3. Fibrosis and inflammation around schistosome eggs (granulomas, fibrosis, edema against adult filarids)
4. Blood loss (hookworms and anaemia)
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Term
Typical Ways Parasites are Transmitted |
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Definition
1. Ingestion (from food, water or inhalation)
2. Vectors
3. Direct Penetration (of skin from environment) |
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Term
Why do we Identify Parasites? |
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Definition
1. Treatment
2. Understanding epidemiology
3. Implementation of control measures
4. Fundamental research |
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Term
Traditional Methods for Diagnosing Parasites and Parasitic Infections |
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Definition
1. Fecal Specimen Collection (Direct, wet, concentration, floatation, stained slide)
2. Colleciton of Material other than fecal (Perianal specimens, Sigmoidoscopic material, Duodenal aspirates, Liver abscess aspirates, sputum, urine urogenital)
3. Blood films/smears
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Term
Problems with the traditional ways of diagnosis |
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Definition
1. Some parasites morphologically indistinguishable
2. Parasites hidden in host tissue
3. Low sensitivity |
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Term
Problems and Solutions for Lumbar puncture for African Sleeping Sickness |
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Definition
Problem: current parasitological diagnostic techniques not satisfactory
Solution: Need trained staff, equipment |
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Term
3 Major Methods of Molecular Testing |
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Definition
1. Biochemical (first generation)
- Enzyme patterns
2. Immunological (antibodies)
3. Nucleic acid (DNA) |
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Term
Enzyme Patterns:
Isoenzymes |
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Definition
Perform same function BUT different movements on gels
- enzymes separated by size
Genetically controlled: parasites with different gel patterns genetically distinct
Used for analysis of Chagas' disease |
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Term
Antibody based diagnosis
Advantages |
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Definition
1. Rapid easy field-based test
2. Both individual & mass population screening
3. Ig subclasses- to improve specificity & sensitivity |
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Term
Antibody Based Diagnosis
Disadvantages |
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Definition
1. Cannot distinguish past/ present infections
2. Cannot distinguish morphologically similar parasites
3. Expensive to develop- significant research prior to commercialization |
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Term
Example of Antibody Based Molecular Diagnosis
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Definition
African Sleeping Sickness
Anti-trypanonosomal IgM detected by simple/rapid CATT
(Card Agglutinatino Test for Trypanosomiasis)
Drop of blood -->
Mixed with fixed parasites on plastic card --->
Blue granular deposits = infection --->
25 US cents per test
Kits for Chagas' & malaria
Westerns for cestodes
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Term
DNA based Molecular Diagnosis |
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Definition
DNA probes
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) |
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Term
PCR in Parasite Diagnosis |
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Definition
Amplifies target sequence and increases sensitivity
1. Ribosomal DNA/RNA
highly sensitive, No good for closely related species
2. Specific sequences of genomic DNA
Highly specific for single species- not sensitive
3. Random primer amplification (RADP) PCR
Very highly sensitive - Not specific |
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Term
Nucleic Acid Based Molecular Diagnosis
Advantages |
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Definition
1. Genomic DNA constant - parasite & hosts unique DNA sequences
2. Very sensitive- small biopsy
3. Probes can be designed with flexibility
Specific - detect single parasite species
Less Specific - detect group of parasites
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Term
Nucleic Acid Based Diagnosis
Disadvantages |
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Definition
1. Expensive - especially PCR
2. Radioactivity needed: newer non-radioactive probes
3. PCR can fail - Contamination & false positives
4. DNA probes do not distinguish between dead and living parasites
Chagas' Disease - PCR based kit in trials in Brazil. Aims to replace Xeno-test |
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