RT Book, Section
A1 Ryan, Kenneth J.
SR Print(0)
ID 1185635015
T1 Parasites—Basic Concepts
T2 Sherris & Ryan's Medical Microbiology, 8th Edition
YR 2022
FD 2022
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260464283
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1185635015
RD 2024/04/24
AB The  discipline  of  Medical  Parasitology  encompasses  a  broad  spectrum  of  organisms  belonging  to  the  kingdoms  Protista  and  Animalia  that  include  diverse  phylogenetic  groupings  such  as  the  subkingdoms  Protozoa  and  Metazoa,  respectively.  The  latter  include  the  trematodes,  cestodes  (Platyhelminthes),  and  nematodes  (Nemathelminthes).  Although  often  quite  dissimilar,  many  parasites  do  share  some  important  traits.  They  are  opportunists  by  nature  and  exploit  environmental  niches  and  lifestyles  within  their  hosts  that  suit  their  individual  needs.  Many  have  high  prevalence  rates,  given  the  right  set  of  circumstances,  and  may  cause  significant  morbidity  and  mortality.  All  have  exceedingly  complex  life  cycles.  The  purpose  of  this  chapter,  and  Chapters  49  and  50  that  follow,  is  to  lay  a  foundation  of  basic  definitions  and  concepts  that  hopefully  will  aid  the  student  in  better  understanding  the  specific  diseases  that  will  be  described  in  succeeding  chapters.