Parasitology

This session centres on Parasitology, offering a structured look at the main types of parasites—protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites—and how their diverse biology leads to different diseases and challenges in control. We will discuss parasite life cycles, transmission routes, and the environmental or behavioral factors influencing their spread. The lecture also explores host-parasite interactions, implications for human health, common diagnostic methods, and strategies for prevention and control.. Parasitology is the scientific study of parasites and their interactions with hosts. Parasites are organisms that live on or within another, called the host, often causing harm. They are classified into three groups: protozoa— single-celled eukaryotes like Plasmodium and Giardia; helminths— multicellular worms such as nematodes like Ascaris and flatworms like schistosomes and tapeworms; and ectoparasites, including lice, fleas, ticks, and flies living on the host’s body surface. Each group’s distinct biology causes different diseases and presents unique control challenges. A thorough understanding of parasites is essential for effective diagnosis, management, and prevention of the diseases they cause. Parasites have complex life cycles, often involving multiple stages and more than one host or vector. For example, the malaria parasite Plasmodium multiplies in both humans and mosquitoes. Transmission varies: direct contact,