Author: Glossary
-
Parasitic disease
A disease resulting from the growth and development of parasitic organisms (plants or animals) in or on the body.
-
Specific parasite
A parasite that requires a specific host in order to complete its life cycle,
-
Permanent parasite
A parasite, such as a fluke or an itch mite, that lives on its host until maturity or spends its entire life on its host.
-
Periodic parasite
A parasite that lives on the host for short periods of time.
-
Obligate intracellular parasite
A parasite such as a virus or rickettsia that can reproduce only when within a living cell, although it may survive outside cells.
-
Obligate parasite
A parasite completely dependent on its host; the opposite of a facultative parasite.
-
Internal parasite
A parasite such as a protozoon or worm that lives within the body of the host, occupying the digestive tract or body cavities, or living within body organs, blood, tissues, or cells.
-
Intermittent parasite
A parasite that visits its host at intervals for nourishment.
-
Facultative parasite
A parasite capable of living independently of its host at times; the opposite of an obligate parasite.
-
External parasite
A parasite that lives on the outer surface of its host, such as a flea, louse, mite, or tick.