Biology and Distribution of Ticks of Medical Importance
Jürg Meier, Julian White in Handbook of: Clinical Toxicology of Animal Venoms and Poisons, 2017
Ticks are haematophagous ectoparasites, and thus belong to parasitology. However, the saliva of several species of ticks has a neurotoxic action, and can cause paralysis in their hosts. Looked at from this angle, ticks might be considered to belong in the province of the toxinolo-gist. What, one might ask, is the decisive criterion for ascribing a group of animals to the fields of either parasitology or toxinology? The answer seems to be that parasitic animals whose saliva has toxic properties, but where these are facultative, are primarily to be considered as parasites. On the other hand, animals whose toxicity is obligatory - that is, essential for their survival - clearly belong to the field of toxinology. Such distinctions may sound rather academic; they are indeed man-made and somehow artificial. Yet they remind us how complex Nature is, and that there are limits to its meaningful compartmentalization by the human mind. It also brings to our attention the fact that ticks are endowed with manifold fascinating capacities, which are well worth scientific investigation in themselves. However, ticks have an importance which goes beyond the bounds of pure science - in most parts of the world ticks are important pests, causing damage and disease, and they are often the vectors of dreaded pathogens.
Parasite Versus Host: Pathology and Disease
Eric S. Loker, Bruce V. Hofkin in Parasitology, 2015
One of the more intriguing aspects of parasitology is the way in which parasites sometimes affect the behavior of their hosts. In Chapter 7 (Figure 7.26), for example, we will discuss the manner in which the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini alters the behavior of the crabs it infects in bizarre fashion. In this case, as in many others, the altered host behavior is thought to enhance parasite transmission. Alternatively, in Chapter 6 we will also consider how the behavior of hosts might evolve to reduce the likelihood of infection.
Pulmonary Disease of Parasitic Cause
Lourdes R. Laraya-Cuasay, Walter T. Hughes in Interstitial Lung Diseases in Children, 2019
Pulmonary disease of parasitic cause remains relatively not too common, but in a sense it has long “crossed” endemic geographic barriers because of world-wide travel. Several parasites involve the human lung in their life cycle. This chapter reviews only relevant aspects of those parasites that have been reported to cause an interstitial lung disease (ILD) pattern. The reader is referred to works on parasitology and pathology for more detailed discussion of the parasites themselves and the full spectrum of the pathology they produce.
Inhibitory effect of Tunceli garlic (Allium tuncelianum) on blastocystis subtype 3 grown in vitro
Published in Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs, 2020
Mehmet Aykur, Emrah Karakavuk, Muhammet Karakavuk, Mesut Akıl, Hüseyin Can, Mert Döşkaya, Yüksel Gürüz, Hande Dağcı
Blastocystis is one of the most common parasite detected in the intestinal tract of humans and animals worldwide [1]. The reasons for the widespread distribution of this parasite depend on the social behaviors and hygiene status related to geographic region, as well as exposure to animals and consumption of contaminated food or water [2,3]. Blastocystis can be found in more than onemillion people worldwide [4]. The prevalence of this parasite varies from 3 to 70% in different countries [3]. Moreover, the prevalence of Blastocystis was 100% in the rural areas of Senegal [5]. In Turkey, the frequency of Blastocystis among children and adults ranged from 31.7 to 32.8% [6]. Moreover, evaluation of the last decade showed that the most common parasite detected in stool samples was Blastocystis (39.8%) [7]. Similarly, Blastocystis is one of the most commonly detected protozoan parasite in stool samples examined in parasitology laboratories around the world [8].
Repeated infections of dengue (serotype DENV-2) in lung cells of BALB/c mice lead to severe histopathological consequences
Published in Pathogens and Global Health, 2018
S. Sakinah, Sharmilah Kumari, Rusheni Munisvaradass, Pooi-Ling Mok, Hui-Yee Chee, Arivudainambi Seenichamy, Kiruthiga P.V, Akon Higuchi, Mariappan Rajan, K. Nataraja Seenivasan, Marlina, Palanisamy Arulselvan, Giovanni Benelli, S. Suresh Kumar
The prevention and treatment of mosquito-borne diseases still represent a major challenge for modern parasitology and tropical medicine [1]. A dramatic expansion of dengue virus (DENV, hereafter) incidence has been reported in recent decades, representing dengue as the most momentous re-emerging arthropod-borne infectious disease [1]. DENV has become a major concern to public health worldwide, since it is affecting more than 100 countries, especially those in tropical and sub-tropical regions [1]. DENV endangers 40% world population’s health. Each year it is anticipated that 50 million DENV infections occur with 5 million experiencing dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), a severe form of DENV infection, and death cases around 12,000 [2]. DHF causes potentially fatal consequences, leading to hemorrhage to different organs. Opposite to DHF, dengue fever (DF) is more self-limiting, however its complication can cause mortality in the 20% of cases [3].
Validation and maintaining laboratory developed molecular tests compliant with ISO15189 for diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections
Published in Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, 2022
Jaco J. Verweij
Molecular diagnostics of parasitic infections is highly sensitive and specific, it is important to realize that aside from general knowledge of molecular biology, it is essential to know the targeted organism, the target sequence and the chemistry used in the assay. Quality management does not end with a validation it is the start, hereafter an assay needs regular updates by a reassessment of the assay, daily monitoring of controls and results, and last but not least participation of quality assessment schemes. As was used in conventional parasitology to choose from a range of concentration and staining techniques, a diagnostic algorithm based on patient population, clinical anamnesis, and travel history to decide if additional diagnostics is needed in specific cases [23].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Cell Biology
- Evolution
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Parasitism
- Prokaryote
- Host
- Genetics