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Questions and Answers
What is a definitive host?
Which of the following is classified as an ectoparasite?
What term describes a parasite that requires a host for its entire life cycle?
Which of the following classifications correctly identifies a parasite that can cause disease only in immunodeficient individuals?
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What type of host harbors the immature stage of a parasite?
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Which of the following is an example of a permanent parasite?
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What category does a parasite that does not affect its host significantly belong to?
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Which of the following is correct about reservoir hosts?
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What is the term used for infections transmitted from infected animals to humans?
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Which of the following is NOT a mode of transmission for parasitic infections?
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Which parasite is most frequently transmitted by sexual contact?
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What is the primary source of infection for soil-transmitted helminths?
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Which method allows autoinfection of parasitic infections?
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Which mode of transmission involves penetration through skin?
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What is vertical transmission in the context of parasitic infections?
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Which of the following parasites is known to be transmitted via blood transfusion?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Medical Parasitology
- Medical Parasitology is the study of organisms (parasites) causing diseases in humans.
- Parasite is a living organism that derives nutrients from another organism (host).
- Host is the organism that harbors the parasite.
Types of Hosts
- Definitive host harbors the mature stage of the parasite.
- Intermediate host harbors the immature stage of the parasite.
- Reservoir host is an animal that harbors the mature stage of the parasite.
- Vector is an arthropod that carries the parasite from one host to another.
Classification of Medical Parasitology
-
Helminthology studies worms:
- Trematoda (flukes)
- Cestoda (tapeworms)
- Nematoda (roundworms)
- Protozology studies protozoa.
- Arthropodology studies arthropods.
Types of Parasites
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Ectoparasites live on the surface of the host.
- Examples: fleas, ticks.
- Infection is called infestation.
-
Endoparasites live inside the body of the host.
- Example: Leishmania.
- Invasion is called infection.
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Temporary parasites visit the host for a blood meal.
- Example: mosquitoes.
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Permanent parasites live on or in the host for its entire life.
- Example: Ascaris lumbricoides.
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Facultative parasites can live as a parasite or free-living.
- Example: Strongyloides stercoralis.
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Obligatory parasites cannot live without a host.
- Example: lice.
-
Specific parasite affects one specific host.
- Example: Entrobius vermicularis.
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Nonspecific parasite can inhabit a human host, but it normally completes its life cycle in an animal host.
- Example: Avian schistosomes, Toxocara canis.
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Opportunistic parasites cause disease only in immunodeficient individuals.
- Example: Cryptosporidium.
Sources of Infection
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Human: Blood and excreta (stool, urine, sputum) can be sources of infection.
- Examples: toxoplasmosis, amoebiasis, enterobiasis.
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Animal: Raw or undercooked meat and animal stool can be sources of infection.
- Examples: Taenia saginata, Taenia solium.
- Zoonosis: Transmission of infection from infected animals to humans.
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Contaminated soil: Soil contaminated with human or animal excreta can be a source of infection.
- Examples: Hookworm, Ascaris species, Strongyloides species, Trichuris species.
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Contaminated water: Water contaminated with the infective stage of the parasite can be a source of infection.
- Example: E.histolytica, Giardia lamblia.
Modes of Transmission
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Ingestion: Oral transmission through ingestion of food, water, or vegetables contaminated with feces.
- Example: cysts of E.histolytica, ova of Ascaris lumbricoides.
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Penetration of skin and mucous membranes: Transmission through penetration of the skin by larval forms of the parasite.
- Example: filariform larva of Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworm.
- Sexual contact: Trichomonas vaginalis is transmitted through sexual contact.
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Vertical transmission: Mother to fetus transmission.
- Examples: Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium species.
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Blood transfusion: Certain parasites can be transmitted through blood or blood products.
- Examples: Plasmodium species, Babesia species, Toxoplasma species.
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Autoinfection: Transmission to the same person through contaminated hands (external autoinfection) or reverse peristalsis (internal autoinfection).
- Examples: Cryptosporidium parvum, Taenia solium.
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Inhalation: Inhalation of dust carrying the infective stage of the parasite.
- Example: Entrobius vermicularis.
- Contact with infected patient: Example: scabies.
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Bite of vectors: Many parasitic diseases are transmitted by insect bites.
- Example: malaria (female anopheles mosquito), filariasis (Culex), leishmaniasis (sandfly).
Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases
- Several methods are used to establish a diagnosis, including:
- Microscopy
- Serological tests
- Molecular techniques
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of Medical Parasitology, including types of hosts and classifications of parasites. You'll learn about definitive, intermediate, and reservoir hosts, as well as various parasite types such as helminths and protozoa. Test your knowledge on the relationship between parasites and their hosts.
