INTRODUCTORY PARASITOLOGY

         In this course we shall be discussing the basic knowledge you must attain to study higher or advanced parasitology. We shall also limit our discussion to parasites of man that is, parasites that infects only humans for better understanding and appreciation. In this discuss, we shall also see to a brief history of parasitology, the nature of parasitism which is usually a non-mutual relationship between organisms.

INTRODUCTION

       Parasitology include the study of three groups of animals viz: parasitic protozoa,  parasitic helminths and arthropods that cause diseases or act as vectors or reservoir hosts.  Parasites are pathogens that simultaneously injures and derives sustenance from its host. A good parasite does not kill it's host since it depend on the host's nutrient(s).

       Major health problems around the world are caused by most of the parasites. In recent years many parasitic diseases have rather increased than decreased such as malaria etc.

      During their (parasites) life, several developmental stages of these parasitic organisms involve changes in their structural, biochemical, and antigenic compositions. Though in helminths the larva stages resembles the adult stages, eg, flukes, tapeworms etc.
We shall now consider the history of parasitology.

HISTORY OF PARASITOLOGY

        Over 70 species of parasitic protozoa and approximately 300 species of parasitic worms are hosted by humans. some of these parasites are derived when we come in contact with infected domesticated animals' fluids.

         Rejection of the theory of spontaneous generation and promulgation of germ theory led to the systematic study of parasites.

        Parasitology must be studied in two dimensions in that the study of one leads to the study of the other, they include: the discovery of parasite and its association with disease and the recognition of a disease and the discovery that it was caused by that parasite. We shall base our discussion only on parasitic protozoa, parasitic helminths and arthropods that cause diseases or act as vectors or reservoir hosts of humans especially.

NATURE OF PARASITISM

       Parasitism refers to non-mutual relationship between two organisms. Usually, one of the organisms (the parasite) gains at the other's (the host) expense. Parasites do not kill their hosts (one major feature of a good parasite), parasites also are smaller than their hosts.
     
       Inside their hosts, parasites reproduce in a faster rate and shows high degree of specialization e.g vertebrates are hosts to parasites such as helminths, plasmodium species etc. When infected by a parasite, the host's immunity is reduced. Parasitism is a part of continuum of kinds of interaction between organisms.

       Now that we have talked about the introduction to parasitology, history of parasitology and nature of parasitism we shall look at relationship of parasitology to other science courses such as biochemistry, microbiology, bioinformatics and many more in the next chapter. Stay updated.

       If you have questions or you want to know more about this chapter please comment below.