Clinical Parasitology Lecture I

Questions and Answers

What is Parasitology?

The area of biology concerned with the phenomenon of dependence of one living organism on another.

Which of the following terms refers to parasites living on the surface of the skin?

Ectoparasite (correct)

Endoparasite

Infection

Infestation (correct)

Tropical Medicine deals exclusively with non-tropical diseases.

False

What does Medical Parasitology focus on?

Animal parasites of humans and their medical significance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Vector in parasitology?

An organism responsible for transmitting the parasite from one host to another. Signup and view all the answers

Autoinfection occurs when the infected person is his own direct source of ______.

reexposure Signup and view all the answers

Which type of parasite lives inside the body of the host?

Endoparasite Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Ectoparasite = Parasite living outside the body of the host Endoparasite = Parasite living inside the body of the host Pathogenic parasite = Animal parasites which cause local and systemic damage Saprophyte = Organism that lives in organic substances in a state of decomposition Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of worm burden?

The number of worms present per infected person. Signup and view all the answers

Eradication means the permanent reduction to zero of an infection's incidence.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Clinical Parasitology

Infestation refers to parasites living on the surface of the skin.
Infection occurs when parasites inhabit the inside of the human body.
Parasitology studies the dependence of one organism on another for survival.
Medical Parasitology focuses on animal parasites of humans, their medical significance, and impacts on communities.
Tropical Medicine addresses tropical diseases and medical issues prevalent in tropical regions.

Key Terminology

Parasite: An organism that relies on another living creature for survival.
Host: The organism that supports or harbors the parasite.
Vector: A carrier that transmits the parasite from one host to another.
Incidence: Represents the number of new and existing infection cases in a population over a specified timeframe.
Worm Burden/Intensity of Infection: Indicates the number of worms present per infected individual.
Deworming: Administration of anti-helminthic or anti-parasitic drugs as part of public health initiatives.
Elimination: Achieving zero instances of a specific infection through community efforts.
Eradication: Permanently reducing a worldwide infection incidence to zero.

Infection Dynamics

Superinfection/Hyperinfection: Occurs when an individual, already harboring a parasite, becomes reinfected with the same species, potentially leading to severe infection or death.
Autoinfection/Autoreinfection: Involves a person being reexposed to the parasite from their own body.
Coinfection: When two distinct parasites infect the same individual simultaneously.

Periods of Infection

Incubation Period: Duration between infection and the manifestation of symptoms.
Biologic Incubation Period/Prepatent Period: Time until a specimen tests positive.
Clinical Incubation Period: Time until symptoms become evident.

Types of Parasites

Ectoparasite: Lives outside the host's body, does not penetrate tissues; associated with infestation.
Endoparasite: Resides inside the host’s body, causing infections; commonly responsible for human illness.
Saprophytes: Organisms that derive nutrients from decomposing organic matter, typically not harmful to living hosts but significant in ecological contexts.

Description

This quiz covers key concepts from the Clinical Parasitology course. It is tailored for third-year Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science students. Test your understanding of laboratory practices and parasitic diseases.