Introduction To Medical Parasitology

Introduction to
Medical Parasitology
Dr. Rayan Ahmed Abdalla

July, 2021
PARASITOLOGY
 Parasitology:
Is the biological science which deals with
the study of parasites.
 The science deals with the parasites that infect

humans, the diseases caused by them, clinical picture
and the response generated by humans against them.
It is also concerned with the various methods of their
diagnosis, treatment and finally their prevention &
control.
 The parasite is a living organism that
depends on another organism (host) for its
survival (food, protection, shelter).
Host-Parasite Relationships
Symbiosis: ‫التكافل‬
Is the close relationship between two or more organisms of
different species that live in direct contact; it
includes mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism.
 Commensalism : ‫التعايش‬
A relationship between two organisms in which one benefits
and the other derives neither benefit nor harm.
Types of Symbiosis
 Mutualism: ‫تبادل المنفعة‬
A mutualistic relationship is when two organisms of different species

"work together," each benefiting from the relationship.
 Parasitism: ‫التطفل‬
Is the relationship between two different organisms whereby one

organism (the parasite) receives benefits from the other organism (the
host) by inducing damage to it.
 The science of parasitology is divided into three

parts:
1.Protozology:
deals with protozoa (unicellular organisms)
2.Helminthology:
deals with helminthes(worms).
3.Medical entomology:
deals with arthropods.
Types of parasites
o On the basis of their location the parasite may be:

 Ectoparasite:
a parasite which lives only on the surfaces of the host;
e.g body lice; ticks;…
-the term infestation is used for their
infection.
Types of parasites
 Endoparasite:
a parasite which lives within the body of the host, e.g.
worms
Types of parasites
 Obligate parasite:
The parasite, which cannot exist without a
host, e.g. Toxoplasma gondii /Plasmodium.
 Facultative parasite
Is an organism that may resort to parasitic activity, but does not
absolutely rely on any host for completion of its life cycle.
Accidental parasite:
Organism that attack an unusual host.
E.g Echinococcus granulosus in man.
Types of parasites
 Pathogenic parasites:
parasites that cause harm to host.
 Non pathogenic or commensal parasites:

parasites that benefit from the host without
causing any harms.
 Host:
- Is an organism which harbors the parasite.
- Provides shelter and nourishment.
Types of hosts:
 Definitive host:
- in which adult or sexually stages lives.
- e.g. human is the definitive host for
schistosoma; mosqiuto= malaria
 Intermediate host:
the host in which larval or intermediate parasite stages
develop.
in some parasites; two different intermediate hosts may be
required
 Reservoir host :
- Is a host which harbors the parasite and
acts as a source of infection.
 The diseases which are naturally found in

animals but can be transmitted to the man are
known as zoonotic diseases.
 E.g. toxoplasmosis;
 Carrier:
A person that harbors a parasite but exhibits no clinical
signs and symptoms.
He can transmits parasite to others.
Vector :
Is an insect arthropod, that transmits infection from one
human/animal to a man, e.g. mosquitoes and sand fly.
Sources of infection
1. Contaminated soil or water: Giardia;

2. Raw or undercooked meat: Taenia
3. Human
4. Animals: Dogs; cats.;…
Modes of transmission of
parasites:
 The infective stage of aparsite may be transmitted to
a person in the following ways:
- Ingesting the parasite in food or water (oro-
fecal):E.histolytica
- Parasite entering through an insect bite: plasmodium
- By sexual contact: Tichomonas
- Trans placental: Plasmodium; Toxoplasma
- Blood transfusion: Plasmodium
Life cycle
 The whole process of parasite growing and

developing.
 Direct life cycle:
When a parasite requires only single
host to complete its development,
 Indirect life cycle:
When a parasite requires two or more
hosts to complete its development.
The Effects of the parasite on the
host
 Reduces its nutrition.

 Tissue and cell damage.
 Mechanical problem(Obstruction).
 Inflammation due to immune response of host.
 Allergic manifestations.
Classification Of Parasites
 All parasites belong to the Animal kingdom.

 According to their common characteristics identical
organisms were grouped into:
- Species(‫)أنواع‬
- Genera ((‫أجناس‬
- Families. (‫)عوائل‬
- Orders.(‫)رتب‬
- Classes (‫)صفوف‬
- Phylum(‫)شعبة‬
This system is known as biological classification
Binomial nomenclature
- Any living organism should be known and called by two

names.
- The first name is the generic name (the name of genus), the
second name is the specific name (i.e. the name of the
species). Thus the names look like this: Taenia saginata,
Plasmodium falciparum,... Etc.
- The first name always begins with a capital letter and the
second with small letter. The two names are either underlined
or written in italics.
Thank
you

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What are the different types of symbiotic relationships?

What are the different types of parasites based on their location in the host?

Introduction to

Dr. Rayan Ahmed Abdalla

 The science deals with the parasites that infect

 Mutualism: ‫تبادل المنفعة‬

A mutualistic relationship is when two organisms of different species

Is the relationship between two different organisms whereby one

 The science of parasitology is divided into three

o On the basis of their location the parasite may be:

 Non pathogenic or commensal parasites:

 The diseases which are naturally found in

1. Contaminated soil or water: Giardia;

 The whole process of parasite growing and

 Reduces its nutrition.

 All parasites belong to the Animal kingdom.

- Any living organism should be known and called by two

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