List of parasites of humans

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List of Parasites of Humans

Parasites[1] are organisms that live on or in a host organism and get their food from or at the expense of their host. There are several types of parasites that can affect humans. This article provides a list of some of the most common parasites that infect humans.

Protozoa

Protozoa[2] are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can be free-living or parasitic in nature. They are able to multiply in humans, which contributes to their survival and also permits serious infections to develop from just a single organism.

  • Giardia lamblia[3] (pronounced: jee-AR-dee-uh LAM-blee-uh), also known as Giardia intestinalis, is a flagellated parasitic microorganism, that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestine, causing giardiasis.
  • Cryptosporidium parvum[4] (pronounced: krip-toe-spor-ID-ee-um PAR-vum) is a protozoan parasite that causes the disease cryptosporidiosis.

Helminths

Helminths[5] are large, multicellular organisms that are generally visible to the naked eye in their adult stages. They are more commonly known as worms.

  • Ascaris lumbricoides[6] (pronounced: AS-kar-is lum-bri-KOY-deez), also known as the "giant roundworm", is a helminth which causes the disease ascariasis.
  • Taenia solium[7] (pronounced: TAY-nee-uh SO-lee-um), also known as the pork tapeworm, is a species of tapeworm, a helminth, that is capable of producing cysts in the brain and causing a condition known as neurocysticercosis.

Ectoparasites

Ectoparasites[8] are organisms that live on the skin of a host, from which they derive their sustenance.

  • Pediculus humanus capitis[9] (pronounced: pe-DIK-yoo-lus HYOO-man-us ka-PIT-is), also known as the head louse, is an ectoparasite that infests the hair and scalp of humans and feeds on human blood.
  • Sarcoptes scabiei[10] (pronounced: sar-KOP-teez SKAY-bee-eye), also known as the itch mite, is an ectoparasite that burrows into the skin and causes a condition known as scabies.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Parasite
  2. ↑ Protozoa
  3. ↑ Giardia lamblia
  4. ↑ Cryptosporidium parvum
  5. ↑ Helminths
  6. ↑ Ascaris lumbricoides
  7. ↑ Taenia solium
  8. ↑ Ectoparasites
  9. ↑ Pediculus humanus capitis
  10. ↑ Sarcoptes scabiei

External links

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