Question

Parasites infect us all the time. They live in our bodies and in our cells. The brain can provide a perfect environment for parasites because it has structures that prevent many of the immune system’s cells from entering. Millions of people worldwide are infected. Find a brain parasite to report on and write 10 sentences about what it is, where it came from, how you can get it, can it be cured, can it be spread and how? And how to prevent it? Be sure to include photos!

Answer 1

The one of the most dangerous parasite is Trichinella Spiralis. It is an ovoviviparous, nematode parasite occuring in rodents, pigs, horse, bears and humans and is responsible for the disease trichinosis.

The parasite was first reported in the United States in 1846 and is capable of causing severe disease. The small adult worms mature in the small intestine of a definitive host such as pig. Each adult female produces batches of live larvea, through small intestine they enter into the blood and lymphatic system and are carried to the striated muscle. Once in the muscle they become enclosed in a capsule.

When human eats the infected meat, the larvae are released from the nurse cells in the meat and migrate into the intestine, where they burrow in the intestinal mucosa, mature and reproduce. This parasite can live the majoroty of its adult life in the intestines of humans.

The first symptom may appear between 12 hours and two days after ingestion of the meat and can provoke an immunological reaction. The resulting inflammation can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating and diarrhea. After five to ten days one can get facial edema and may get fever, intense muscular pain, difficulty breating and various nervous disorders.

Muscle biopsy and ELISA are used for its detection. A common blood test called bentonite flocculation is another diagnostic tool.

Treatment in the early stage is essential since drug can do very little once larvae have established in the muscle. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs are effective.

This can prevented by avoiding undercooked meat, undercooked wild game and undercooked poultry.