Chapter 2 : Parasite Classification and Relevant Body Sites

Abstract:

Although common names are often used to describe parasites and parasitic infections, these names may refer to different parasites in different parts of the world. To eliminate these problems, a binomial system of nomenclature is used in which the scientific name consists of the genus and species. Based on life cycles and organism morphology, classification systems have been developed to indicate the relationship among the various parasite species. Closely related species are placed in the same genus, related genera are placed in the same family, related families are placed in the same order, related orders are placed in the same class, and related classes are placed in the same phylum, one of the major categories in the animal kingdom. Parasites of humans are classified into six major divisions. These include the Protozoa (amebae, flagellates, ciliates, sporozoans, coccidia, and microsporidia), the Nematoda or roundworms, the Platyhelminthes or flatworms (cestodes, trematodes), the Pentastomids or tongue worms, the Acanthocephala or thorny-headed worms, and the Arthropoda (insects, spiders, mites, ticks). This section talks about parasite classification and relevant body sites such as intestine, blood, tissue, liver and lungs.