Online Biology Notes for students
Parasitology Notes
What is Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)? Visceral leishmaniasis is sometimes known as systemic leishmaniasis or kala-azar. Kala-azar also is known as black fever or Dumdum fever in Asia. It usually occurs 3 to 6 months after being bitten by a sandfly. It primarily infects the reticuloendothelial system. It damages internal organs, such as …
Read moreVisceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)- Causes, Lab diagnosis, Treatments
What is Cysticercosis? Cysticercosis refers to the tissue infection caused by the metacestode, or larval stage, of Taenia solium. It is acquired by the accidental ingestion of T. solium eggs. It is endemic to many parts of the developing world, including Latin America, Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Cysticercosis is the most common …
Read moreCysticercosis- Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment
Lab diagnosis of Ascaris lumbricoides a. Detection of Parasite Adult Worm In the case of heavy infection, the adult worm is possible to find in stool or sputum of the patient by the naked eye. Barium meal may reveal the presence of an adult worm in the small intestine. A plain abdominal …
Read moreAscaris lumbricoides- Lab Diagnosis, Treatments, Prophylaxis
What is Ancylostoma duodenale? Ancylostoma duodenale is the most dangerous parasitic roundworm, causing serious infection in humans. It is commonly known as Old World hookworm. It is common in the tropical, subtropical, and temperate region of Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific Islands, and the Southern States of America. Ancylostoma duodenale (Greek ankylos—hooked; …
What is Plasmodium vivax? Plasmodium vivax is the most common of the human infecting malaria fever parasites. It is an intracellular parasite in man. It lives in the red blood corpuscles and liver cells in man. While extracellular in mosquitoes, living in its alimentary canal and salivary glands. The life cycle of …
Read morePlasmodium vivax- Life Cycle in Man and in Mosquito
Plasmodium vivax is a widely distributed protozoal parasite and a human pathogen that is responsible for human malaria. P vivax is not virulent as compared to Plasmodium falciparum. Plasmodium vivax can cause severe disease and death due to the enlargement of the spleen. They are transmitted through the female Anopheles mosquito. Classification …
Read morePlasmodium vivax- Habitat, Characteristics, Structure, Life cycle
Image Source: Laboratory Diagnostic Assistance (DPDx), CDC. Life history and Development of Taenia solium 1. Copulation and fertilization The life cycle of Taenia solium is digenetic, involving two hosts. But the life cycle of tapeworm is simple and without a free larval stage. Fertilization is preceded by copulation, inserting cirrus into the …
Read moreTaenia solium- Life history ,development and adaptations
Nutrition in Taenia solium Tapeworm completely lacks alimentation in all stages of life-history. It is clear that tapeworms absorb nutrients from their hosts and that such movement of materials from the hosts into parasites is an essential element of host-parasite relationships. The soluble nutrients like glucose, amino acids, glycerol, etc., diffuse directly …
Read moreTaenia solium- Nutrition, respiration, excretory, nervous, reproductive system
Systematic position Phylum: Protozoa Subphylum: Sacromastigophora Superclass: Mastigophora Class: Zoomastigophora Order: Kinetoplastida Genus: Leishmania Species: donovani Discovery and Distribution The species of Leishmania donovani was reported simultaneously by Leishmania from London and Donovan from Mardas in (1903) hence the name Leishmania donovani. L. donovani causes a malaria-like fever-oriental disease in the man …
Read moreLeishmania donovani- Habitat, Morphology and Life Cycle
Classification of Taenia solium Phylum Platyhelminthes Class Cestoda Subclass Eucestoda Order Taenioidea Genus Taenia Species solium Habits and Habitat of Taenia solium Taenia solium, also known as pork tapeworm, is found worldwide. Thus, its distribution is cosmopolitan. Its adults dwell in man’s small intestine as an internal parasite, i.e., endoparasitic, where it …
Read moreTaenia solium- Classification, Habitat, Structure, Body wall