Hannah Price
Dr. Villa
Parasitology
September 6, 2020
Quiz 2
Parasite: Ascaris lumbricoides
Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-34857022
Part I:
Summary in 100-125 words:
The parasite Ascaris lumbricoides is thought to increase fertility in Bolivian women. The average
family in Bolivia has nine children. Coincidently, 70% of Bolivia’s population has this parasite.
It is speculated that the parasite alters the woman’s immune system so it becomes more prone to
pregnancy. The woman’s immune system changes when pregnant so the fetus is not rejected by
the woman’s own body. Ascaris lumbricoides could lead to a “fertility-enhancing” drug because
of its assumed fertility effects. Scientists are continuing to investigate this parasite to see if it can
be a safe and effective measure for fertility treatment.
Summary in 25-35 words:
Ascaris lumbricoides is thought to increase one’s fertility. It is hypothesized that the parasite
increases fertility by altering one’s immune system. Ascaris lumbricoides could lead to a
“fertility-enhancing” drug.
Summary in 10-15 words:
Ascaris lumbricoides may increase fertility by affecting the immune system.
Part II:
This study source was downloaded by 100000898182462 from CourseHero.com on 04-28-2025 22:34:07 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249122426/Write-up2docx/
, Humans infected with Ascaris lumbricoides rarely have symptoms (CDC, 2018, para. 1). If
symptoms do occur, they are minimal (CDC, 2018, para. 1). Ascaris lumbricoides are one of the
most common parasites that infect humans, and more than one billion people are infected with it
world-wide (Asaolu, Ofoezie & Onyeji, 2017, para. 1). This parasite is most commonly found in
rural, non-developed countries because parasites can only be transmitted through feces-
contaminated water or substances (CDC, 2018, para. 1). Ascaris lumbricoides would have to
have low virulence because the host would still have to be functional enough to be out in public
and excrete so the parasite could be transmitted. It would be advantageous for the parasite to
have low virulence so the host can still be functioning normally in public spaces.
Reference Cited
This study source was downloaded by 100000898182462 from CourseHero.com on 04-28-2025 22:34:07 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249122426/Write-up2docx/
Dr. Villa
Parasitology
September 6, 2020
Quiz 2
Parasite: Ascaris lumbricoides
Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-34857022
Part I:
Summary in 100-125 words:
The parasite Ascaris lumbricoides is thought to increase fertility in Bolivian women. The average
family in Bolivia has nine children. Coincidently, 70% of Bolivia’s population has this parasite.
It is speculated that the parasite alters the woman’s immune system so it becomes more prone to
pregnancy. The woman’s immune system changes when pregnant so the fetus is not rejected by
the woman’s own body. Ascaris lumbricoides could lead to a “fertility-enhancing” drug because
of its assumed fertility effects. Scientists are continuing to investigate this parasite to see if it can
be a safe and effective measure for fertility treatment.
Summary in 25-35 words:
Ascaris lumbricoides is thought to increase one’s fertility. It is hypothesized that the parasite
increases fertility by altering one’s immune system. Ascaris lumbricoides could lead to a
“fertility-enhancing” drug.
Summary in 10-15 words:
Ascaris lumbricoides may increase fertility by affecting the immune system.
Part II:
This study source was downloaded by 100000898182462 from CourseHero.com on 04-28-2025 22:34:07 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249122426/Write-up2docx/
, Humans infected with Ascaris lumbricoides rarely have symptoms (CDC, 2018, para. 1). If
symptoms do occur, they are minimal (CDC, 2018, para. 1). Ascaris lumbricoides are one of the
most common parasites that infect humans, and more than one billion people are infected with it
world-wide (Asaolu, Ofoezie & Onyeji, 2017, para. 1). This parasite is most commonly found in
rural, non-developed countries because parasites can only be transmitted through feces-
contaminated water or substances (CDC, 2018, para. 1). Ascaris lumbricoides would have to
have low virulence because the host would still have to be functional enough to be out in public
and excrete so the parasite could be transmitted. It would be advantageous for the parasite to
have low virulence so the host can still be functioning normally in public spaces.
Reference Cited
This study source was downloaded by 100000898182462 from CourseHero.com on 04-28-2025 22:34:07 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249122426/Write-up2docx/
