The Biology of Host-Parasite Relationships Among Protozoa Living in Man

Abstract

An attempt is made to bring into one comprehensive plan the various zoological, medical and public health aspects of host-parasite relationships among human protozoa. After an introduction containing a description of all protozoa living in man, an account is given of the following phases of host-parasite relationships: epidemiology of transmission; course of an infection, introducing the new terms patent, prepatent, subpatent and postpatent for certain parasitological periods; distribution and localization of parasites within the host; passive (natural) resistance of host and of parasite; the parasite''s method of attack; changes in the host caused by the parasite and in the parasite caused by residence in the host; host-parasite adjustments during an infection; therapeutics; the route taken by parasites in escaping from the host; and host-parasite specificity. A comprehensive literature list and 3 plates showing all human protozoa are included.