What is Parasitology ?
Parasitology is the study of parasitism and due to the nature of
parasitism it can not be well defined.
Parasitology can be divided in :
- The study of the parasite itself. It is important to
know how the parasite functions in order to be able to combat it.
This comprises all disciplines of biology and beyond.
- Host-Parasite relationships
This comprises all disciplines that deal with the host-parasite
interface and the way the two organisms interact with each other.
The most important disciplines are:
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Cell biology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology of parasitic infections. This deals with the
discription of the immunological response by the host and the way
the parasite tries to evade the host's immune attack.
This comprises such disciplines as:
- Humural and cellular immunology
- Molecular immunology
- Chemotherapy of parasitic infections. This deals with
the study of the effect of drugs on the parasite and host and the
treatment by drugs that would lead to the killing of the parasite
and the recovery of the diseased host. The disciplines involved
are:
- Organic chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistrry
- Medicine
- Epidemiology tries to describe the ways the diseases
spread amongst the population. In the case of parasitic infections
not only the host, but also the parasite and the vector
should be included. The disciplines are:
- Tropical hygiene
- Entomology
- Geography
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Last updated: 29 September 2000.
created by :Fred
Opperdoes