parasitology lecture 1

What are the two major groups of parasites studied in parasitology?

Protozoa and Helminths

What are the defining features of protozoa?

Eukaryotic, unicellular organisms (proto = first, zoa = animals).

Name the four groups of protozoa.

Apicomplexa, flagellates, amoebae, and ciliates.

What are the five main routes of protozoan transmission?

Faecal-oral, vector-borne, predator-prey, aerosol, and sexual.

What diseases are caused by Plasmodium species?

Malaria — transmitted by mosquitoes (Apicomplexa group).

What are the recrudescent (recurrence of parasitic symptoms after period of remission) malaria species?

Plasmodium falciparum and P. malariae.

Why are protozoa “small but deadly”?

Rapid development → acute disease; multiplication in host → intense infection.

What are the three main disease types caused by protozoa?

Gastro-enteritis, vascular disorders, and space-occupying lesions.

What are the three main types of parasitic worms (helminths)?

Nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flukes).

What are helminths’ defining features?

Eukaryotic, metazoan, invertebrate organisms

Name three main helminth infection sites.

Enteric (intestine), vascular (blood), and tissue (encysted larvae).

Why are helminths “large but not so deadly”?

Slow development → chronic disease; no amplification → lighter infections.

What are the three main disease types caused by helminths?

Gastro-enteritis (blockages/diarrhoea), vascular disorders (lymphoedema), and granulomas.

What are the three main helminth transmission types?

Faecal-oral (eggs), vector-borne (larvae), and predator-prey (encysted larvae