1. The study of trivialities and minutiae. 2. That part of science which treats of microscopic objects, or depends on microscopic observation.
Parasitology
Parasitology is
the scientific study of parasites. Some parasitology studies evaluate
the relationship between parasitic organisms and their hosts. Other
studies look for and describe different types of parasites. Parasitology
has applications in human and veterinary medicine. The study of
parasites draws on other scientific disciplines, such as microbiology,
organic chemistry, and cytology.
Though the name parasite has
negative connotations, not all parasites adversely affect their hosts.
In some cases, parasitology demonstrates how the relationship of a
parasite to its host is mutually beneficial, called mutualism. The
parasite and the host may gain protection from each other’s presence or
provide each other with food. When parasite and host cannot exist apart,
their relationship is called symbiotic. The two organisms are equally
and mutually dependent upon each other.
Parasitology, when used
in applications in human and veterinary medicines, tends to examine the
relationship between parasites that invade and cause damage to the
animal or human body. For example, insects that are vectors for disease
are studied to see to what degree they pass those diseases on to humans
or animals. The mosquito is a parasite that affects not only human
populations, but also birds and horses. Some mosquitoes carry West Nile
Virus, which in severe cases can result in encephalitis and sometimes
death. In order to improve medicine’s understanding of West Nile Virus,
parasitologists must understand the mosquito.
From past studies,
parasitologists determined that not all mosquitoes are equally
dangerous, and not all carry West Nile Virus. Only female mosquitoes
bite, while male mosquitoes drink nectar. More recent parasitology
studies have identified that mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus have a
tendency to survive and be present through winter in moderate climates.
So from this, we know that the presence of a mosquito in December in
the US means more risk to us of contracting West Nile Virus.
In
veterinary medicine, parasitologists work specifically to eliminate flea
infestation on cats and dogs. Recent technology has evolved to allow
dogs or cats to either take a pill a month, or have a spot treatment on
their back that either retards fleas from maturing, thus preventing
bites, or directly kills fleas that bite. Some fleas can be vectors for
diseases. Fleas on rats caused the Black Plague of the Middle Ages.
Improved flea protection can minimize health risks and reduce flea
infestation, providing relief to both pets and their owners.
Parasitology
also studies the one-celled organisms that can make us ill, which can
be either bacteria or fungi. Such studies depend on the ability to
identify and describe cells, cytology, or microbiology at the
microscopic level. Description of these cells and their presence has
lead to better detection of certain bacterial and parasitic infections.
Parasitology
must concentrate not only on identifying and describing harmful cells,
but also on evolving methods for destroying them. From this information,
medications are developed to treat specific infections. Understanding
parasites led to the understanding of the role of antibiotics in
treating bacterial infections, arguably one of the most significant
medical developments in history.
