Facultative Parasites Are The Most Common Species

2023 Author: Riley Dean | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 08:37

List of the most common facultative parasites

Content

• 1 How adaptation occurs

• 2 The most common facultative parasites

  • 2.1 Staphylococcus
  • 2.2 Streptococci
  • 2.3 Proteus
  • 2.4 Salmonella
  • 2.5 Listeria
  • 2.6 Candida albicans

Facultative parasites are parasites whose life cycle does not have to take place in the body of the owner. If the patient has good immunity and good health, the cure will occur on its own without serious consequences. After death, the remains of the parasite are excreted by the body on its own.

All existing parasites are usually subdivided into obligate and optional. It is these concepts that denote the degree of interconnection between organisms. Thus, the normal life cycle and reproduction of an obligate parasite is possible only in the host's body.

Helminths are considered prominent representatives. Facultative parasites are able to develop outside the host's body, they adapt to the host's body, after infection they begin to lead a parasitic way of life, causing health problems.

Optional parasites are usually subdivided into:

1. Non-pathogenic. They develop regardless of the presence of a host; they enter the human or animal organism by accident. An example is fungi that cause subcutaneous myiasis;
2. Pathogenic. Parasites that cause the development of certain diseases.

3. Conditionally pathogenic. They can be in the human body under normal conditions and do not cause negative consequences, harm the body only when certain factors coincide.

   

How is adaptation

Facultative parasitism is a pathological process in which two genetically different organisms coexist, while the host organism acts as a breeding ground for the parasite.

It is customary to subdivide optional parasitism into several types:

1. Stationary. The entire life cycle of the parasite is on the host's body. This species includes ticks and lice;
2. Periodic. The parasite enters the host organism only during a certain period of its life, for example, for reproduction. An example is intestinal acne;

3. Temporary. The parasite is able to quickly adapt to the host's body, use it for a short time, a striking example of a temporary parasite is an ordinary mosquito.

   

The vital activity of the facultative type of parasites occurs in the aquatic, terrestrial or soil environment. Harmful organisms of this species quickly get used to changes in environmental conditions, practically without changing their numbers.

Facultative parasites do not always take root and multiply in the host's body. So, if the infected does not have problems with immunity, the parasite will take part in metabolic processes, will be perceived by the body as a foreign body, destroyed and excreted in a natural way without the need for additional treatment.

Parasites of this type can only pass the stage of reproduction in the host's body. Biological processes are essential for reproduction. In this case, the main processes of the life cycle can occur both in the environment and in the organism of the infected person. Some parasites change several hosts during their life.

Each parasite chooses its place in the body for normal existence and development. So, viruses after infection enter the cells, where they develop and multiply in the future. Fungi, mites and lice exist on the surface of the skin or invade the upper layers of the skin. Bacteria and worms choose tissues and internal organs as a living environment.

The most common facultative parasites

Below is a list of the most common facultative parasites that people choose as a host.

Staphylococcus

In the body, it produces a strong toxic substance that causes pathological changes in the body. The parasite affects the cardiovascular system and the digestive tract. Normal body temperature in humans creates an ideal environment for the development and reproduction of a microorganism.

You can catch the parasite, both from a sick person and from an absolutely healthy person, which is a carrier and secretes a dangerous microorganism.

Streptococci

Under certain conditions, spherical bacteria begin to actively develop and significantly increase their population due to reproduction. Dangerous substances are released that cause the development of various infections and affect the respiratory tract. It is streptococci that can cause rhinitis and scarlet fever, and cause intestinal upset.

Proteus

Bacteria are found in the body of any person. In case of problems with immunity (for example, when taking antibiotics that suppress natural immune processes), the bacterium significantly increases its population, provokes intestinal infections, causes cystitis and dysbiosis.

Salmonella

Reproduction of this type of bacteria occurs inside the cells, as a result of which the parasite is able to remain viable for a long time. The rods of the microorganism easily penetrate into tissues and mucous membranes, due to which the parasite spreads rapidly throughout the body.

Salmonella provokes serious intestinal infections, kidney failure, and makes blood vessels fragile and brittle. If not properly treated, it can be fatal.

Listeria

Intracellular parasites that provoke the development of listeriosis. Since the microorganism resides within cells, it shows resistance to antibacterial treatment. You can get infected through spoiled food or by contact. The elderly, pregnant women and children are at risk.

Candida albicans

Candida is a yeast-like fungus that is found in the body of every person. The fungus can be found in samples from the intestines, mouth, mucous membranes. When local immunity decreases or the patient does not follow basic hygiene rules, the fungus rapidly increases the number of individuals and provokes a disease called candidiasis (thrush). The main symptoms of the problem are itching, redness of the skin, curd discharge.

Facultative parasites are not as dangerous to the human body as obligate ones. For prevention, it is enough to strengthen the immune system, the body will independently respond to the parasite and destroy it.