Inroduction to medical parasitology

INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL PARASITOLOGY The course is designed to enable learners to apply the concepts and principles of medical parasitology to Course Purpose provide nursing care to patients/clients. Describe classification, characteristics, the life cycle and pathology of parasites of medical importance. Carry out and interpret procedures for identification Learning Outcomes By the end of the course the learner will be able to: 1. 2. of parasites. 1. Apply parasitological concepts and principles in prevention and control of infections. ourse Description Medical parasitology: introduction to medical parasitology; parasitological methods; Classification: Trematodes. Cestodes. Nematodes. Protozoa; intestinal, urogenital, blood, opportunistic parasites; diagnosis and chemotherapy of parasitic infections. Medical Entomology. vectors of parasitic diseases, insecticides and molluscides; ectoparasites; myiasis causing flies and other related infections. Diagnostic procedures in Parasitology. Parasitology: Concepts and Definitions • Parasite: • one organism deriving its sustenance from another without making compensation. The uncompensated animal is the host. • Parasitology • The science or study of host-parasite relationships. • Medical parasitology • study of parasites which infect humans. • Host • the partner providing food and/or protection. Some parasites require more than one host to complete their life cycle; Or may not require a host during some stage(s). Interactions between organisms Symbiosis: “living together”- 2 organisms living in/on each other Phoresis: travelling together: the phorant carried by other (spores on legs) Mutualism: both symbionts benefit: usually an obligate relationship termite + intestinal protozoan, lichens, bacteria in gut of leeches Interactions between organisms Commensalism: one symbiont benefits, other: no impact Parasitism: one symbiont benefits at the expense of the other -mechanical injury, inflammation reaction, competition fo