The following points highlight the four main parasitic adaptations of helminths. The adaptations are: 1. Morphological Adaptations 2. Physiological Adaptations 3. Life Cycle Adaptations 4. Immunological Adaptations. 1. Morphological Adaptations: The Helminths, though are of lower grade of organisms, show structural modifications or adaptations along two lines: (a) Degeneration or loss of organs or systems; (b) Attainment of new organs. [...]
Definition of Parasitic Adaptation: The parasitic adaptation can be defined as the profound changes and modifications occurring in per-suit of successful living so that the parasite is fully adapted inside the body of the host. Cameron (1965) has stated that "the parasites continue to lead their life successfully by adopting various modifications and compromises—compromises in some respects parallel to those [...]
The following points highlight the five major diseases caused by flukes. The human diseases are: 1. Schistosomiasis 2. Opisthorchiasis 3. Paragonimiasis 4. Fasciolopsiasis 5. Fascioliasis. Human Disease # 1. Schistosomiasis: Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) is caused by the parasitic infection of flukes of three principal species namely Schistosoma mansoni, S. japonicum and S.haematobium. Schistosomiasis is increasing in prevalence, affecting about 10 per [...]