MULTI CELLULAR PARASITES

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An extraordinary variety of viruses, bacteria, and parasites stand

ready to attack us and feed off our bodies' cells. Using microscopes

of varying power, photographers show us a teeming microbial world that

we could barely imagine without their help.

 

The approximate sizes of microbes can be approximated by using the

following rule of thumb:

 

* VIRUSES are the smallest of all infectious agents, averaging

about 100 nanometers (100 billionths of a meter) in length. They have

so few genes and proteins of their own that in order to reproduce they

need to commandeer the machinery of the cells they invade.

 

 

* BACTERIA vary widely in size and shape, but tend to be at least

10 times larger than viruses, or at least 1 micrometer (1 millionth of

a meter) long. They are single-cell organisms that reproduce

independently.

 

 

* SINGLE-CELL PARASITES tend to be at least 10 times larger than

bacteria, or about .01 millimeter long.

 

 

* MULTI CELLULAR PARASITES are so large they can usually be seen

with the naked eye. Tapeworms, for instance, can reach a length of 6

meters (20 feet).

 

Food and water are the most common sources of parasite transmission.

Since most of us eat three times a day and drink water frequently

throughout the day, our exposure to these sources is constant. Tap

water has been found to be contaminated with parasitic organisms. Both

plant and animal foods carry parasites, and cleaning and cooking

methods often do not destroy them before ingestion. The CDC (Center

for Disease Control) cites food as the catalyst behind 80 percent of

the pathogenic outbreaks in the U.S. Most are linked to restaurants

and delis where less than sanitary conditions exist -- from food

preparation and storage to the utensils and servers' hands.

 

Animals, just like humans, can become infected with parasites.

Internally, contaminated water and food can spread the problem to our

pets. Externally, animals become infected by parasites on their

bodies, especially on their fur, because of exposure to infected

animal wastes. Forgetting to wash your hands even one time after

handling or cleaning up after your animal can transmit the parasite to

you. Pets are a wonderful part of our lives. They provide comfort,

companionship, protection, amusement, and unconditional love for their

owners. Yet, pets, like humans, are often victims of serious

infections that can unintentionally be passed on to their owners. In

fact, there is a whole set of diseases classified as 'zoonoses'

(animal-transmitted diseases) in parasitology textbooks. Animals are

major carriers of parasites, and most physicians, let alone the

general public, are unaware of this fact. Experts have projected that

of the 110 million pet dogs and cats in this country, over half may be

infected with at least one or more different kinds of parasites.

Considering these numbers, the potential for transmission of parasitic

infection from animals to humans is extremely high.

 

The CDC estimates that the number of parasites present in the United

States alone number in the thousands. These parasites are

biochemically complex creatures in their life histories, development,

reproductive cycles, nutritional requirements, and disease

manifestation. They are categorized according to structure, shape,

function, and reproductive ability. These include microscopic

organisms (protozoa); roundworms, pinworms, and hookworms (nematoda);

tapeworms (cestoda); and flukes (trematoda).

 

PROTOZOA

Making up approximately 70 percent of all parasites, protozoa are

invisible to the naked eye. They are one-celled microscopic organisms,

but don't let their size fool you. Certain protoans, through their

intensely rapid reproductive ability, can take over the intestinal

tract of their host; and from there go on to other organs and tissues.

Some feed on red blood cells. Some protozoa produce cysts - closed

sacs in which they may be safely transported through food and water

from one person to another. In the cyst state, protozoans are safe

from destruction by human digestive juices. These one-celled

'vampires' can actually destroy the tissues of their hosts. According

to experts, an estimated 7 million people across the U.S. have some

form of protozoa living inside of them. Common protozoa include:

Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidum

parvum, Blastocystis hominis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Toxoplasma

gondii, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium muris, Pneumocystis

carinii, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax,

Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania donovani, Leishmania tropica, and

Leishmania braziliensis.

 

NEMATODE

While the protozoans are only single-celled, nematode creatures are

multi cellular. The adult worms multiply by producing eggs called ova

or larvae. The eggs usually become infectious in soil or in an

intermediate host before humans are infected. It is interesting to

note that unless the worm infection is heavy, many individuals do not

show signs of disease. While it may be unpleasant to consider, it is

true that the human host can coexist quite comfortably with a few

worms, unless they reproduce in great numbers and create organ

obstruction. Experts claim that 'some type of worm is already in the

intestines of over 75 percent of the world's population'. This is a

frightening statement. Common nematode include: Roundworm (Ascaris

lumbricoides), Hookworm (Necator Americanus, Ancylostoma duodenal),

Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis), Roundworm (Toxocara canis, Toxocara

cati), Heart worm (Dirofilaria immitis), Strongyloides (Stronglyoides

stercoralis), Trichinella (Trichinella spiralis), Filaria (Wuchereria

bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus, Loa loa, Mansonella

streptocerca, Mansonella perstans, Mansonella ozzardi), and Anisakine

larvae.

 

CESTODA

Among the oldest known parasites, tapeworms are considered humanity's

largest intestinal inhabitant. They each have a scolex (head) that

attaches to the intestinal wall. As long as the head remains attached

to the intestinal mucosa, a new worm can grow from it. Tapeworms do

not contain digestive tracts but get their nourishment by absorbing

partially digested substances from the host. They are whitish in

color, flat, and ribbon-like, with a covering that is a transparent

skin-like layer. Common cestoda include: Beef tapeworm (Taenia

saginata), Pork tapeworm (Taenia solium), Fish tapeworm

(Diphyllobothrium latum), and Dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum).

 

TREMATODE

Trematode are leaf-shaped flatworms also known as flukes. They are

parasitic during nearly all of their life-cycle forms. The cycle

begins when larvae are released into freshwater by infected snails.

The free-swimming larvae can then directly penetrate the skin of the

human host or are ingested after encysting in or on various edible,

vegetation, fish, or crustaceans. Common trematode include: Intestinal

fluke (Fasciolopsis buski), Blood fluke (Schistosoma japonicum,

Schistosoma mansoni) Schistosoma haematobium), Liver fluke (Clonorchis

sinensis), Oriental lung fluke (Paragonimus westermani), and Sheep

liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica).

 

 

Roundworm

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Pinworm

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Hookworm

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Dwarf Tapeworm

Click here for more info.

 

Whipworm

Click here for more info.

 

Fish Tapeworm

Click here for more info.

 

Intestinal Fluke

Click here for more info.

 

Amoeba Parasite

Click here for more info.

 

Click here to find out more.

 

 

 

Note: The statements contained on this website have not been reviewed

or approved by the Food and Drug Administration for their validity.

Nothing contained on this site is meant to infer or state that the

products are for the treatment of any disease or ailment. Always

consult with your physician if you experience any medical problems.

Parasite images courtesy of the DPD

 

References and additional information:

- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

- Howard Hughes Medical Institute

- Ohio State University, Biological Sciences

- Skye Weintraub, ND " The Parasite Menace " " ; Woodland Publishing 2000

- Ann Louise Gittleman, MS, CNS " Guess What Came To Dinner? " ; Avery 2001

- Valerie Saxion " Everybody Has Parasites " ; Bronze Bow Publishing 2003

- Skye Weintraub " The Parasite Menace " ; March 1998

- Roger M. Knutson " Fearsome Fauna: A Field Guide to the Creatures

That Live in You "

- Carl Zimmer " Parasite Rex: Inside the Bizarre World of Nature's Most

Dangerous Creatures "

- Paavo Airola, ND, PhD " How To Get Well " ; Health Plus Publishers

- Nicholas Culpepper " Culpepper's Complete Herbal " ; Omega 1985

- Penny C. Royal " Herbally Yours " ; Sound Nutrition 1982

- James F. Balch, MD " Prescription For Nutritional Healing " ; Sound

Nutrition 1997

- Alma R. Hutchens " Indian Herbology of North America " ; Merco 1973

- Discover Magazine; August 2000 Edition