1What is medical parasitology?
The study of parasites that infect humans
2What fields does medical parasitology integrate?
Clinical medicine, public health, and laboratory science
3What aspects of parasites are examined in medical parasitology?
Biology, life cycle, pathogenesis, and transmission
4Why is medical parasitology important globally?
Parasitic infections are a major cause of global disease burden
5Why are immunocompromised individuals at higher risk?
They are highly vulnerable to parasitic infections
6Why is laboratory diagnosis crucial in parasitology?
It guides treatment decisions
7What does understanding parasite life cycles help with?
Prevention strategies
8What are the major divisions of medically important parasites?
Protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites
9What is an endoparasite?
A parasite that lives inside the host
10What is an ectoparasite?
A parasite that lives on the surface of the host
11What is an obligate parasite?
A parasite that must live in a host to survive
12What is a facultative parasite?
A parasite that can live with or without a host
13What is a definitive host?
The host in which the parasite reaches sexual maturity
14What is an intermediate host?
The host that harbors larval or asexual stages
15What is a paratenic host?
A host in which no development occurs but parasite remains viable
16What is a reservoir host?
A host that maintains the parasite life cycle in nature
17Which parasites lack locomotory organelles?
Apicomplexa
18What locomotory feature is absent in parasitic flatworms?
Cilia
19What attachment structures are found in flatworms?
Hooks and suckers
20What protects parasites from host defenses?
Strong tegument
21Why does Ascaris continuously move?
To maintain its position in the intestine
22What protects parasites against digestive enzymes?
Thickened integument
23What reduces abrasion in flukes?
Spines on the tegument
24Why are parasite eggs and cysts resistant?
They have resistant layers
25What structure helps cestode embryos penetrate tissues?
Six hooklets
26What reproductive feature increases parasite survival?
Production of thousands of ova
27Which parasites are mostly hermaphroditic?
Tapeworms and flukes
28Where does asexual reproduction commonly occur in parasites?
In the intermediate host
29What biochemical adaptation involves loss of pathways?
Streamlining
30What do streamlined parasites rely on?
Host nutrients
31Why are biochemical adaptations clinically important?
They are targets for drug development
32What is one mechanism of host damage by parasites?
Tissue invasion and destruction
33How do parasites cause nutrient deprivation?
By consuming host nutrients
34What causes mechanical obstruction in parasitic infections?
Large size or accumulation of parasites
35How does Plasmodium cause anemia?
By invading and lysing red blood cells
36What causes granulomas in Schistosoma japonicum infection?
Egg deposition
37How do hookworms cause iron deficiency?
By bleeding from cutting plates
38What complication can Ascaris cause?
Intestinal obstruction and migration to bile ducts
39How does Diphyllobothrium latum affect the host?
Causes vitamin B12 deficiency
40What genetic trait protects against Plasmodium falciparum?
Sickle cell trait
41Which antigen affects susceptibility to Plasmodium vivax?
Duffy antigen
42How does a high protein diet affect protozoa?
It inhibits their growth
43What diet worsens amebiasis?
Low protein diet
44What diet favors tapeworm growth?
High carbohydrate diet
45Is absolute immunity common in parasitic infections?
No, it is rare
46Which parasites almost never induce immunity?
Helminths
47What does partial immunity do?
Reduces disease severity
48What are common sources of parasitic infection?
Soil, water, food, animals, and vectors
49What is a common mode of transmission through ingestion?
Geophagy
50How can parasites enter through the skin?
Skin penetration
51What role do arthropods play in transmission?
They act as vectors
52What diagnostic method remains the gold standard?
Microscopy
53What exam detects intestinal parasites?
Ova and parasite examination
54What advanced diagnostic methods detect parasite DNA?
PCR and molecular methods
55What is essential for accurate diagnosis?
Proper specimen collection
56What are key prevention strategies against parasites?
Hygiene, sanitation, and safe water
57What public health measure reduces worm burden?
Deworming campaigns
58What preventive drug strategy is used for malaria?
Chemoprophylaxis
59What determines disease outcome in parasitic infections?
Host–parasite interaction