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Questions and Answers
Who is at the highest risk of parasitic diseases according to the text?
Who is at the highest risk of parasitic diseases according to the text?
Which organization notes that parasitic diseases can infect anyone regardless of socioeconomic status?
Which organization notes that parasitic diseases can infect anyone regardless of socioeconomic status?
What is one way to improve awareness about parasitic diseases in the United States according to the CDC?
What is one way to improve awareness about parasitic diseases in the United States according to the CDC?
Which disease is mentioned in the text as a prime example of a major health burden in developing nations?
Which disease is mentioned in the text as a prime example of a major health burden in developing nations?
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What is the aim of singling out neglected parasitic diseases by the CDC?
What is the aim of singling out neglected parasitic diseases by the CDC?
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What is a characteristic of animal parasites?
What is a characteristic of animal parasites?
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Why are parasitic infections more common in tropical climates?
Why are parasitic infections more common in tropical climates?
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What is the role of eosinophils in parasitic diseases?
What is the role of eosinophils in parasitic diseases?
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How are animal parasites classified?
How are animal parasites classified?
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What enhances the transmission of animal parasites?
What enhances the transmission of animal parasites?
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In what types of climates are parasitic infections less frequent?
In what types of climates are parasitic infections less frequent?
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Which group of individuals is mentioned to be at the highest risk of parasitic diseases?
Which group of individuals is mentioned to be at the highest risk of parasitic diseases?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the neglected parasitic diseases singled out by the CDC for awareness improvement in the United States?
Which of the following is NOT one of the neglected parasitic diseases singled out by the CDC for awareness improvement in the United States?
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In which type of countries are parasitic diseases considered a major health burden?
In which type of countries are parasitic diseases considered a major health burden?
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What is the goal behind singling out neglected parasitic diseases for awareness improvement in the United States?
What is the goal behind singling out neglected parasitic diseases for awareness improvement in the United States?
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What makes parasitic diseases a significant health burden for some individuals according to the text?
What makes parasitic diseases a significant health burden for some individuals according to the text?
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What is a common characteristic of animal parasites?
What is a common characteristic of animal parasites?
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Why are parasitic infections more common in tropical climates?
Why are parasitic infections more common in tropical climates?
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How are animal parasites classified?
How are animal parasites classified?
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What role do eosinophils play in parasitic diseases?
What role do eosinophils play in parasitic diseases?
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Which type of host does the mature parasite ultimately reside in?
Which type of host does the mature parasite ultimately reside in?
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What enhances the transmission of animal parasites?
What enhances the transmission of animal parasites?
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Which protozoal infection can result in ulcerating skin lesions and a multisystem visceral disease called kala azar?
Which protozoal infection can result in ulcerating skin lesions and a multisystem visceral disease called kala azar?
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Which protozoal infection can infect the fetus and cause congenital malformations?
Which protozoal infection can infect the fetus and cause congenital malformations?
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Which protozoal infection destroys erythrocytes in asplenic or immunocompromised individuals?
Which protozoal infection destroys erythrocytes in asplenic or immunocompromised individuals?
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Which protozoal infection primarily infects the small intestine?
Which protozoal infection primarily infects the small intestine?
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Which protozoal infection causes a systemic disease leading to serious heart damage?
Which protozoal infection causes a systemic disease leading to serious heart damage?
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Which protozoal infection results in a parasitic infection of the intestinal tract causing severe diarrhea?
Which protozoal infection results in a parasitic infection of the intestinal tract causing severe diarrhea?
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How is malaria transmitted to humans?
How is malaria transmitted to humans?
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Where does the initial source of the malaria parasite come from?
Where does the initial source of the malaria parasite come from?
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What is the cause of repeated, periodic chills and fever in malaria?
What is the cause of repeated, periodic chills and fever in malaria?
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What happens to the hemoglobin in red blood cells invaded by malaria parasites?
What happens to the hemoglobin in red blood cells invaded by malaria parasites?
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How is a diagnosis of malaria typically established?
How is a diagnosis of malaria typically established?
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When do the parasites released by the destroyed red cells enter the circulation?
When do the parasites released by the destroyed red cells enter the circulation?
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What is a serious complication of malaria that can be fatal?
What is a serious complication of malaria that can be fatal?
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What symptom is associated with the release of masses of new parasites into the circulation?
What symptom is associated with the release of masses of new parasites into the circulation?
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Why are parasites becoming resistant to antimalarial drugs according to the text?
Why are parasites becoming resistant to antimalarial drugs according to the text?
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What is the ultimate outcome of the cycle of invasion, multiplication, and red cell destruction by malaria parasites?
What is the ultimate outcome of the cycle of invasion, multiplication, and red cell destruction by malaria parasites?
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In which countries is malaria no longer considered a major public health problem?
In which countries is malaria no longer considered a major public health problem?
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What is a major health problem in many less developed countries according to the text?
What is a major health problem in many less developed countries according to the text?
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Study Notes
What are Animal Parasites?
- Animal parasites are organisms adapted to living within or on the body of another animal, called the host, and are no longer capable of free-living existence.
- Many animal parasites have a complex life cycle, which may involve an intermediate host and a definitive host.
Characteristics of Parasitic Infections
- Transmission of parasites is favored by conditions of poor sanitation and high temperature and humidity.
- Parasitic infections are common in tropical climates but less frequent in cold or temperate climates.
- Insect vectors may transmit parasites from the intermediate or definitive host to humans, who may serve as an opportunistic host.
Classification of Animal Parasites
- Animal parasites are classified into three large groups: protozoa (simple, one-celled organisms), metazoa (more complex, multicellular structures), and arthropods (small insects).
Parasitic Diseases
- Parasitic diseases, particularly those involving helminths (worms), may be accompanied by eosinophilia (high circulating eosinophil count).
- Parasitic diseases are a major health burden in developing nations, and minorities, immigrants, and people living under disadvantaged conditions are at the highest risk.
- Five neglected parasitic diseases have been singled out by the CDC to improve awareness: Chagas disease, neurocysticercosis, toxocariasis, toxoplasmosis, and trichomoniasis.
Protozoal Infections in Humans
- Important protozoal infections in humans include malaria, amebic dysentery, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, trichomonad infections, giardiasis, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis.
Malaria
- Malaria is caused by several species of the protozoan parasite Plasmodium, which has a complicated life cycle.
- The parasite is transmitted to humans by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito, which breeds in swampy lowland areas.
- Symptoms of malaria include repeated, periodic chills and fever, anemia, and enlarged spleen and liver.
- Diagnosis of malaria is established by demonstrating the parasite in properly prepared and stained slides made from the blood of the infected patient.
- Malaria is a major health problem in many parts of the world, with over 200 million people affected and 1-3 million deaths each year.
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Description
Explore the world of animal parasites, organisms that are adapted to living within or on the body of a host. Learn about the complex life cycles of many animal parasites, including how they move between intermediate and definitive hosts. Discover how these parasites survive in the intestinal tract and impact their hosts.
