MEDICAL

PARASITOLOGY
 WHAT IS MEDICAL
PARASITOLOGY?
 Parasitolgy is a study of parasites, their
hosts and the relationship between them.

 “Medical Parasitology is the subject that

which deals with the parasites that infect man,
the diseases caused by them, clinical picture
and the response generated by man against
them. It also concerns various methods of their
diagnosis, treatment and finally their
prevention and control”.
 PARASITE?
Parasite is a living organism that acquires
some of its basic nutritional requirements
through its intimate contact with another
living organism. Parasites may be simple
unicellular protozoa or complex
multicellular metazoa.

Ex: Plasmodium, Helminthes etc.,

 TYPES OF
PARASITES
Endoparasite: “A parasite that lives within other
living organism is called an endoparasite”.
Ex: malaria, giardia etc.,

Ectoparasite: “A parasite that on the external

surface of the other living organism is called an
ectoparasite”.
Ex: lice, ticks etc.,
 HUMAN PARASITES
 Acanthamoeba: affects eye and/or brain
 Babesiosis: affects the red blood cells
 Coccidia: affects the intestines
 Giardia: affects the lumen of small intestine
 Rhinosporidiois: affects the nose and
nasopharynx
 Toxoplasmosis: affects the liver, heart, eyes and
brain
 Trichomoniasis: affects the female urogenital
tract
 SYMPTOMS
Various symptoms of the parasitic diseases are:
Anemia
Diarrhea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Itchy anus or vagina
Aches and pains
Allergies
Sleeping problems
Anxiety
General malaise
 CAUSES
Parasitic infections can be caused by three
types of organisms:

Protozoa
Helminths
Ectoparasites
 PREVENTION
Washing hands with sanitizer
Sanitation
Avoid untreated water
Wash fruits and vegetables
Maintenance of proper hygiene
Avoid exposure to heavy pollution
Washing clothes before wearing
Control of vectors
 DIAGNOSIS

Ova and parasite exam

Endoscopy/colonoscopy
Blood tests
X-ray
VARIOUS ANTI PARASITIC
AGENTS
Artesunate
Benznidazole
Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)
Melarsopro
Nifurtimox
Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam)
Suramin
THANK YOU