Toxoplasma Gondii

Parasites can manipulate hosts in many different ways. In the article “Suicide Grasshoppers Brainwashed by Parasite Worms,” James Owen describes the relationship between parasite hairworms and grasshoppers. These parasitic worms find a host, such as a grasshopper, and enter the body. After entering the host, the worms cause the grasshoppers to commit suicide by jumping into the water. This article explains how parasites cause grasshoppers to commit suicide, how the parasites enter and exit the host, and how scientists use this information to create a better understanding in research about parasitical behaviors.

Small birds and mammals because they forage for seeds. A tiny amount of the parasite needs to be ingest to begin causing problems and it can be found in raccoon feces.

Since the feline species are the only recognized host of T. gondii, the parasite must pass through the feline digestive system in order to complete its life cycle and reproduce (NOAA, 2013). The parasite multiplies within the feline digestive tract, releasing the parasitic eggs through the cat’s feces (NOAA, 2013). The parasitic eggs infect other non-feline species, including mice and birds, which is a common source of transmission to uninfected cats (NOAA, 2013). Rainfall can wash the cat feces into the ocean where the parasitic eggs remain viable for up to two years (NOAA,

Premises support (3): (9) Cats are more likely to carry rabies. (10) They also share parasites or infectious microbes with humans. (11) Outdoor cats are the primary hosts of toxoplasmosis, which effects around 30% of humans.

The disease is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is mainly found in small rodents like rats and it can be spread to human through flea bites or via close contact with infected rodents or human.

According to the CDC (2015), this virus is mainly spread from infected mosquito bites particularly from Culex tritaeniorhynchu. Humans are not part of the transmission cycle; however, pigs and birds are part of the cycle. Therefore, there is increased risk to people who live in close proximity to these

There are only a few ways to become infected with the bacteria, being bitten by an infected flea or coming in contact with an infected animal's bodily tissues or fluids. Whether a person has contracted the bacterium or not can

There is a risk of C. gattii in tropical areas and the Pacific Northwest. There are many factors that contribute to this risk. How it is transmitted, environmental causes, locations of infection, and prevention. It is important to understand the risk before traveling so you don’t become infected. To learn more about this risk we will look at areas in which the fungi exists, who’s susceptible, and how to keep from getting sick.

Most parasitic diseases can not be contracted in the United States but when traveling, you can catch it. Luckily, you can take some precautions to avoid contracting them. There are some diseases contracted by consuming contaminated water and food. Some of the preventative measures that should be taken to avoid this is keeping away from drinking the water, swimming only in designated swimming areas, not swimming in freshwater and avoiding swallowing water when swimming, steer clear from cooked food from street vendors, raw vegetables, and unpasteurized dairy foods such as milk or cheese. You should also get specific vaccinations before entering different countries like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Influenza, Measles, Polio, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis

Have you ever seen a bee acting weird? They act weird because of parasites.The authors propose of writing this article is to inform the readers about ants turning “zombie-like” before they die and how they get infected. In the article, it states “Dr. hafernik first discovered something eerie was happening to the bees on his campus in 2008 when he stumbled upon several of them staggering in circles along the sidewalk. For weeks he picked up a few of them in a glass vial with plants to feed his pet praying mantis. One day he came across a vial he had forgotten on his desk for a couple of weeks. The bees inside were dead, but the vial was overwhelmed with small brown fly pupae. He came to the conclusion that the bees were parasites.” This evidence

This plague’s carriers are primarily Oriental rat fleas, also know as Xenopsylla cheopis, as well as infected rodents. In fleas, the bacteria continues to

How the disease was transmitted was further looked on by Nelson (1995). According to the said author, the disease was transmitted primarily by fleas and rats. The stomachs of the fleas were infected with bacteria known Y. Pestis. Nelson held that “the bacteria would block the "throat" of infected fleas so that no blood could reach their stomachs, and they grew ravenous since they were starving to death” (1995, par. 14). The bacteria would then attempt to suck up blood from their victims, only to disgorge it back into their preys' bloodstreams (Nelson, 1995). Now, however, the victims' blood was mixed with Y. Pestis. Fleas infected rats in this fashion, and the rats spread the disease to other rats and fleas before dying (Nelson, 1995). Without rodent hosts, the fleas then migrated to the bodies of humans and infected them in the same fashion as they had the rats .

far more dangerous, due to the potential that the larva will migrate to the brain,

     Transmission of the parasite can occur in several different ways. Direct transmission can occur by handling infected animal or human feces. One quarter of reported direct transmission infections occurred by direct contact with feces, while the rest were reported to have happened by person to person contact (Donnelly & Stentiford, 1997).

Not only are humans threatened by viral and bacterial infections, there are various parasites that also invade the human body. Parasitic infections are common in underdeveloped countries and are a prominent threat in rural areas. Though parasitic infections are known to happen in well-developed countries such as the United States. Contaminated water supplies, contact with infected animals, and improperly stored and cooked food can lead to parasitic infections. Parasites like tapeworms, protozoa, flukes, and nematodes can infect humans, causing serious health issues. These parasites enter through various parts of the body, and then live and reproduce in certain organs. Though there are many points of entry into the human body, most parasites enter