Basicmedical Key

8 The host–parasite relationship Introduction The preceding chapters have focused primarily on organisms that are quite clearly disease agents. Small numbers may be found in healthy individuals, but their presence…

6 The helminths and arthropods Introduction The term ‘helminth’ is used for all groups of parasitic worms. Three main groups are important in humans: the tapeworms (Cestoda), the flukes (Trematoda…

4 The fungi Introduction Fungi are eukaryotes, but are quite distinct from plants and animals. Characteristically, they are multinucleate or multicellular organisms with a thick carbohydrate cell wall containing chitin,…

1 Microbes as parasites The varieties of microbes Prokaryotes and eukaryotes A number of important and distinctive biologic characteristics must be taken into account when considering any organism in relation…

7 Prions Introduction Prions are unusual infectious agents associated with a number of human, animal and fungal diseases. In humans they can cause degenerative changes in the brain: the transmissible…

5 The protozoa Introduction Protozoa are single-celled animals, ranging in size from 2 to 100    nm. Many species are free-living, but others are important parasites of humans. Some free-living species…