Abstract This paper explains that the Malaria parasite is a critical component of the spread of this disease through mosquito populations around the world. The author points out that one hypothesis is the ability of the malaria parasite to infect those persons who are not even located in the vicinity of the mosquitoes that carry the disease. The paper stress that this spread of the illness to less typical areas is critically importance to the advancement of methods to reduce the incidence of disease.
From the Paper "The study of Malaria is a complex process, as it requires the identification of many different factors that relate to the physiology of the disease, as well as the symptoms that it causes within the host. There are a number of experimental approaches to evaluating Malaria, and it is anticipated that some of the most innovative strategies will encompass the utilization of tools that are effective in providing new discoveries in research and drug development. Although much of the research currently conducted on Malaria has been beneficial to the control of this disease, new discoveries have yet to be made based upon new theories. One hypothesis worth consideration is the ability of the malaria parasite, known as plasmodium falciparum, to infect those persons who are not even located in the vicinity of the mosquitoes that carry the disease."
Abstract This paper examines the origins of parasites, their relationship to their host and how they have evolved in tandem with many other organisms. The paper seeks to answer several questions including why parasites live where they do and how the origins of evolution affect different parasites, specifically RNA and what role protozoans play in the life of parasites. The paper also discusses the process of Coevolution and the effect that a parasite's long-term residence has on the body of different species, including humans.
From the Paper "However, it is once an organism has taken up residence inside another organism, that a second and crucial process comes into play. This is the process of Coevolution. Coevolution is based relatively simply on the fact that Evolution is a non-stop process. All species are continually changing and developing. Genetic mutations, errors in the copying of DNA and RNA, lead to minute, or even at times, dramatic changes that might be either beneficial or maladaptive. In the normal course of things the maladaptive forms will die out, while the successful adaptations will survive as a result of those organisms that possess them living on to reproduce. The same process of evolution is at work both in host and parasite. As the host itself changes, the environment inside it changes as well. Subtle differences in conditions might mean death a microorganism living inside the body of another animal."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Chagas' disease, African sleeping sickness, and the leishmaniasis, all deadly diseases caused by mere parasites. What makes it so frightening is that these parasites are common bloodsucking insects such as the tsetse fly and the 'kissing bug'. This paper also analyzes the DNA make up and possible methods of eradication.
From the Paper "As a matter of fact, some findings were released recently, and these stated the DNA sequencing of the three parasites 'Trypanosoma cruzi, 'T. brucei' and 'Leishmania major'. These three parasites are collectively referred to as the 'Tritryps', and there is neither any vaccine available against them, nor does there exist any suitable treatment for the diseases caused by them. The medicines that are available today as a part of the treatment for the patient afflicted with the disease are generally quite toxic and extremely difficult to administer, and more often than not, according to a report by the World Health Organization, it will not be successful. The older treatments, dating back to the 1940's, were based on arsenic and antimony, and today, there are different methods, but with extremely limited efficiency. (Parsing Parasites: genomes of three tropical parasites are sequenced)
Geneticists today have discovered many thousands of mutations that are responsible for various diseases in human beings, and among these the so called 'founder mutations' stand apart. "
Abstract This paper discusses the classification, structure and functioning of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The paper presents the methods of reproduction and mechanisms of pathogenesis, and then lists the antimicrobial agents used against them. For each case, the paper highlights one disease and discusses the laboratory diagnosis.
From the Paper "Bacteria are prokaryotes, i.e. they do not have their DNA enclosed in a nucleus. They are among the earliest life forms that appeared on Earth billions of years ago and helped change the environment, creating oxygen which enabled higher forms to evolve..."
Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a sporozoan parasite, and its definitive host is the cat. The organism was first identified in 1908 in the mononuclear cells of a North African rodent. Toxoplasmosis is a disease transmitted to humans and animals by toxoplama gondii, often in cat excrement, or in undercooked meat. It causes flulike symptoms and damages the central nervous system, eyes, and visceral organs. Congenital toxoplasmosis, transmitted from an infected mother to her unborn child, can lead to blindness and retardation. Although toxoplasmosis is a rare disease, its incidence has increased since the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. Toxoplasma gondii belongs to Apicomplex parasite family. Research has recently shown that this family of parasites contains an intracellular structure more commonly associated with plants. This may allow for the formulation of new strategies for finding a cure for toxoplasmosis.
Abstract This paper discusses how the malarial parasite is a complex organism which infects millions of people every year. It looks at how in recent years, the number of cases of West Nile Fever has increased, prompting many people to examine the cause and transmission of it and similar diseases. It demonstrates how understanding the biology of these organisms is important for scientists in order to prevent and cure future infections.
Outline
Introduction
The Human Malaria Parasite The Life Cycle
Sequencing of the Plasmodium Genome
Polymorphism
Plasmodium Species
Merozoites
Invasion Process
Plasmodium Sporozoites and Ookinetes
Malaria in Animals
Exploring Malaria Biology
Conclusion
From the Paper "The mosquito ingests Plasmodium cells in human blood called gametocytes, which are precursors of gametes, and within seconds, gametocytes are induced into gametogenesis, which produces gametes. The gametes then produce sporozoites, which are accumulated in the salivary gland of the mosquito and then injected into the vertebrate blood stream during feeding. These cells will accumulate in the liver of the vertebrate, and then multiply and produce merozoites, which invade, replicated and destroy red blood cells, eventually leading to a decline in asexual replication. After the red blood cells are invaded, some merozoites produce gametocystes, which can potentially restart the total life cycle. These gametocytes are not able to self-replicate and will be die if they are not ingested by a mosquito, which will begin the life cycle again."
Tags: mosquitos, parasites, west, nile, fever, plasmodium, sporozoites
Abstract This paper examines how human schisostomiasis or katayama fever is a serious parasitic infection caused by helminths and how schisostomiasis remains endemic in 76 countries and territories. mainly as a result of poor living conditions, improper sanitation and irrigation, which allow optimal parasite transmission. It reviews schisostomiasis and focuses on the immunological aspects of the disease and its vaccine development.
From the Paper "Diagnosis of Schisostomiasis relies on both microbiological and immunological methods. Immunodiagnosis uses the principle of detection of antibodies and antigens. Several years ago, skin tests were user but now are considered inappropriate to perform due to their invasive nature. Most tests are performed today using plasma obtained from methods like finger pricking and venous blood. Other tests involve use of body fluids, urine, milk and saliva (Santos et al. 2000). Most commonly used are the Antibody and Antigen detection tests. As far as antibody tests are concerned, a positive result does not necessarily mean that this patient has an active infection. This test is more a marker that this person has been or is infected with Schisostoma."
Abstract This paper summarizes an article about the effects of food supplementation and parasitic treatment on the body mass of snowshoe hares. The paper examines a population of hares, some of whom had food supplemented, some of whom had anti-parasitic treatments, and some of whom had both to determine the synergistic effects.
Abstract The paper recounts the history, spread and current epidemiology of Trypanosomiasis, commonly known as African sleeping sickness. It also recounts the causes of the disease, especially as they are rooted in the host-parasite relationship. It presents charts which show the life cycle of the pest and what measures are being taken to combat this disease.
From the Paper "Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly referred to as the African sleeping sickness, is a serious parasitic disease endemic throughout most of Sub-Saharan Africa. The causative agents of HAT, parasites of the genus Trypanosoma, are characterized by a complex life cycle that involves a mammalian host (humans) and an insect vector (tsetse fly). In the course of evolution, trypanosomes have become adapted to take advantage of both of these organisms and initially it may even seem that the parasite has evolved simply to maximize its reproductive success within these organisms. In reality, however, host-parasite interactions in HAT can be more accurately described as a balance between the within-host selection and between-host selection (the pressure to facilitate horizontal transmission), leaning toward the latter. Thus, HAT illustrates the intricacies inherent in the host-parasite interactions, as well as how these complexities continue to frustrate the efforts to treat this communicable disease."
Abstract Naegleria fowleri live in water that is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit and are most commonly found in warm, fresh, or brackish stagnant waters, such as lakes, rivers, hot springs, unchlorinated swimming pools, warm discharge pools from industrial plants, dust, soil, and sewage. This paper discuss the epidemiology of Naegleria fowleri, or Acanthamoeba, and looks at how prevalent these parasites are and whether we should be greatly concerned.
From the Paper "Trophozoites penetrate the nasal cavity and then travel along the olfactory nerves to invade the brain tissue, resulting in meningitis and encephalitis. Once in the brain tissue, the organism produces cytologic enzymes, which causes hemorrhage and necrosis of the brain tissue. Some cases of myocarditis with neutrophilic infiltrates have been reported, but no amebas have been found (Johnson, 2000). If the organism is suspected early enough, the person can be treated with antibiotics and anti-fungal medications."
Abstract This paper discusses a form of toxoplasmosis caused by a microscopic parasite called toxoplasma gondii, found in all warm-blooded animals like pets, livestock and human beings. It explains that the disease is transmitted from a mother contaminated with toxoplasma at the time of pregnancy to unborn child; eating under-cooked or uncooked meat of infected animals or eating food, drinking water or inhaling contaminated dust. The author points out that pregnant women can become infected by swallowing cat feces from a toxoplasma-infected cat; therefore, pregnant women should not empty the litter-box of cats. The paper relates that medication of opportunistic infections (OIs) like toxoplasmosis needs some intricate trial-and-error to determine the best treatment for an individual patient.
From the Paper "The cure of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis intends killing free Toxoplasma organisms before they can attack host cells, as well as the encysted parasite, without aggravating the situation as an effect. Folate synthesis inhibitors, mainly pyrimethamine and sulphadiazine, have been most regularly used to cure all groups of patient with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. These, and the protein biosynthesis inhibitor clindamycin, are useful against the extra-cystic form of Toxoplasma. Instantaneous treatment at the beginning of symptoms is a logical approach to therapy. This could lessen the probability of re-invasion by Toxoplasma of other host cells, and the extent of disease process, as well as the possibility of ensuing extension and reappearance. Systemic corticosteroids are also widely used in the healing of vigorous incidents of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Treatment with glucocorticoids, including progesterone, can restrain antimicrobial activity of macrophages, and thus may have an effect on the result of steroid therapy for ocular toxoplasmosis."
Abstract The paper focuses on the Chinese liver fluke that is an extremely common worm parasite that lives in the body of its host, often humans. The paper writes from the perspective of this worm, in a first person account, about its prevalence, its significance to humans, its food sources and its methods of reproduction.
From the Paper "Ah, it's another beautiful day in my neighborhood! How do I know? I don't have eyes, but I don't need them here, nestled in the bile ducts of my human host. All I need is right here with me, lots of tissue to feed on, like membranes and blood cells, and plenty of water to help me create my eggs. Ah, life is good when you're a clonorchis sinensis, or Chinese Liver Fluke, because you're incognito, no one knows you're home, and you have everything you need to survive! I can live right here for eight, and sometimes up to twenty years (if my human lives that long, but more on that later), you know, without my host ever figuring out I'm here, what could be better than that? So, how did I end up here, in this Asian adult host, living the free and easy life of a fluke? Well, it's a long story."
Abstract This paper discusses the novella "Apt Pupil" by Stephen King, noting how the author explores different aspects of unnatural desire and relates these to themes of corruption and parasitic behavior. It explains that the young man, Todd, is drawn to his neighbor, the old man Dussander, and for the boy there is a mixture of desire and curiosity in this attraction. The paper contends that the boy wants to know more about the old man's past, and their relationship becomes one of mutual parasitism only possible because of the underlying desire that motivates both.
From the Paper "In the novella "Apt Pupil," Stephen King explores different aspects of unnatural desire and relates these to themes of corruption and parasitic behavior. The young man Todd is drawn to his neighbor, the old man Dussander, and for the boy there is a mixture of desire and curiosity in this attraction. The boy wants to know more about the old man's past, and their relationship becomes one of mutual parasitism only possible because of the underlying desire that motivates both. The boy himself is presented first as the all-American boy peddling his bicycle down the street of an average American town, and this normality contrasts with the events to follow and with the odd attraction Denker (a name used by Dussander) has for him. The man the ..."
Abstract This paper defined disease as anything impairing the normal state or functioning of the body as a whole or of any of its parts, explaining how certain diseases are short lived, but severe, others chronic. The author classifies diseases by their cause and how infectious they may be.
From the paper:
"Disease can be defined as anything impairing the normal state or functioning of the body as a whole or of any of its parts. Some diseases are short lived, but they are accompanied by severe symptoms. Others are chronic, or diseases that last a long time. Diseases are classified by their cause; this could be a virus, bacteria, rickettsias, or protozoa. Fungi and parasitic worms can also cause diseases. Human, certain animals and insects, and infected objects can transmit only infectious diseases. Chemical and physical agents such as drugs, poisons, and radiation can also cause disease."
Abstract This seafood research paper outlines some basic facts about striped bass, one of the most succulent fish served in the United States. Basic information about striped bass, including market information, use in menus, potential parasites, commercial fishing information and seasonality is included.
From the Paper "Striped bass is also known as striped bass, striper, linesider, bass, rockfish, rock, sewer trout and Fr. bar raye. The scientific name for striped bass is Morone saxatilis, and the fish appears in some early scientific literature as Roccus lineatus. Striped bass is a member of the medium- to large-sized, perch-like fishes, and inhabits coastal marine, brackish, and fresh waters in both temperate and tropical regions. This fish species was successfully introduced in into both a large number of inland lakes and reservoirs, and the Pacific coast. Striped bass now are resident from Ensenada, Mexico to British Columbia."
