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Parasitology studies parasites and their relationship with hosts, including mutualism and symbiosis. In human and veterinary medicine, it examines disease vectors like mosquitoes and fleas. Understanding parasites has led to medical advancements like antibiotics.
Parasitology is the scientific study of parasites. Some parasitology studies evaluate the relationship between parasitic organisms and their hosts. Other studies look for and describe different types of parasites. Parasitology has applications in human and veterinary medicine. The study of parasites is based on other scientific disciplines, such as microbiology, organic chemistry and cytology.
While the name parasite has negative connotations, not all parasites affect their hosts negatively. In some cases, parasitology demonstrates how a parasite’s relationship with its host is mutually beneficial, called mutualism. The parasite and host can either protect themselves from each other’s presence or provide food for each other. When the parasite and host cannot exist apart, their relationship is called symbiotic. The two organisms are equally and mutually dependent on each other.
Parasitology, when used in human and veterinary medicine applications, tends to examine the relationship between parasites that invade and cause harm to the animal or human body. For example, insects that are disease vectors are studied to see the extent to which they transmit those diseases to humans or animals. The mosquito is a parasite that affects not only human populations, but also birds and horses. Some mosquitoes carry West Nile virus, which in severe cases can cause encephalitis and sometimes death. To improve the medical understanding of West Nile virus, parasitologists need to understand the mosquito.
From previous studies, parasitologists have determined that not all mosquitoes are equally dangerous and not all are carriers of West Nile virus. Only female mosquitoes bite, while male mosquitoes drink nectar. More recent parasitology studies have identified that mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have a tendency to survive and be present through winter in moderate climates. So, from this, we know that the presence of a mosquito in the United States in December means that we are at a higher risk of contracting West Nile virus.
In veterinary medicine, parasitologists work specifically to eliminate flea infestation on dogs and cats. Recent technology has evolved to allow dogs or cats to either take one pill a month or have a spot treatment on their backs that either delays flea maturation, thus preventing bites, or directly kills biting fleas. Some fleas can be vectors of disease. Fleas on mice caused the Black Death of the Middle Ages. Better flea protection can minimize health risks and reduce flea infestation, providing relief for both pets and their owners.
Parasitology also studies the unicellular organisms that can make us sick, which can be bacteria or fungi. Such studies depend on the ability to identify and describe cells, cytology or microbiology at the microscopic level. Describing these cells and their presence has led to improved detection of some bacterial and parasitic infections.
Parasitology must focus not only on identifying and describing harmful cells, but also on evolving methods to destroy them. From this information, drugs are developed to treat specific infections. Understanding parasites has led to an understanding of the role of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections, arguably one of the most significant medical developments in history.
