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Parasites

Control Of Parasites

Most parasitic infections can be treated by use of medical and surgical procedures. The best manner of controlling infection, though, is prevention. Scientists have developed and continue to test a number of drugs that can be taken as a barrier, or prophylaxis, to certain parasites. Other measures of control include improving sanitary conditions of water and food sources, proper cooking techniques, education about personal hygiene, and control of intermediate and vector host organisms.

See also Flatworms; Strepsiptera; Tongue worms.


Resources

Books

Brown, Harold, and Franklin Neva. Basic Clinical Parasitology. Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1983.

Noble, Elmer, and Glenn Noble. Parasitology: The Biology of Animal Parasites. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1989.

Schmidt, Gerald, and Larry Roberts. Foundations of Parasitology. St. Louis: Times Mirror/Mosby College Publishing, 1989.

Warren, Kenneth, and John Bowers, eds. Parasitology: A Global Perspective. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1983.

Periodicals

Jaenike, John. "Behind-the-Scenes Role of Parasites." Natural History June 1994: 46-48.

Moore, Janice. "The Behavior of Parasitized Animals." Bio-Science (February 1995): 89-96.

Tilton, Buck. "Don't Drink the Water." Backpacker (February 1994): 50-55.


Jeffrey R. Corney

KEY TERMS

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Arthropod

—A phylum of organisms characterized by exoskeletons and segmented bodies.

Cestodes

—A class of worms characterized by flat, segmented bodies, commonly known as tapeworms.

Definitive host

—The organism in which a parasite reaches sexual maturity.

Helminths

—Term to define various phyla of worm-like animals.

Intermediate host

—An organism infected by a parasite while the parasite is in a developmental form, but does not sexually mature.

Nematodes

—Characterized by long, cylindrical bodies, commonly known as roundworms.

Protozoa

—One-celled organisms.

Trematodes

—A class of worms characterized by flat, oval shaped bodies, commonly known as flukes.

Vector

—Any agent, living or otherwise, that carries and transmits parasites and diseases.

Additional topics

Science EncyclopediaScience & Philosophy: Overdamped to PeatParasites - The Study Of Parasites, Protozoa, Nematodes (roundworms), Cestodes (tapeworms), Trematodes (flukes) - Helminths, Arthropods