Parasitic Disease facts
While investigating facts about Parasitic Disease, I found out little known, but curios details like:
Malaria, which is caused by the parasitic protozoa plasmodium, is the deadliest disease of all time. No disease, including the plague or smallpox, has killed more people. It has also killed more people than all wars, famines, and natural disasters combined.
The majority of infections from swimming pools and hot tubs are caused by cryptosporidium, a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites which are released (anally) into the water and then consumed (orally) by fellow swimmers. Hotel pools are the primary place of infection.
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across. Here are 38 of the best facts about Parasitic Disease I managed to collect.
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About this parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that changes the behavior in its hosts in weird ways. In humans, it is said to infect 50% of the population, and could be responsible for having neurotic diseases like bipolar and depression, and psychotic diseases like schizophrenia.
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Jimmy Carter played a major role in eliminating guinea-worm disease - a parasite that is drank, and then burrows out of your body in the form of a worm.
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In DNA tests of Tutankhamun's mummy, scientists found DNA from the mosquito-borne parasites that cause malaria. This is currently the oldest known genetic proof of the disease.
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The "curse of the pharaoh" theory in biology—that parasites and diseases that can lie dormant for longer tend to be more virulent—from the theory that some untimely deaths of persons involved in the excavation of King Tut's tomb could have been caused by a long-dormant pathogen
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The theme for the 2015 World Health Day celebrations is Food Safety. There are more than 200 diseases caused by unsafe food that may contain parasites, viruses, bacteria, and chemicals. It is estimated that approximately two million people die each year because of unsafe food or water. The 2015 World Health Day's message was to be informed to ensure that food one one's plate is safe to eat.
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Yellow-brownish oil extracted from the rhizome of sweet flag can be used in treatment of bacterial diseases, for the elimination of intestinal parasites, to induce sedation, improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and in treatment of cough, fever, gastrointestinal disorders and spasms. Root of sweet flag can also decrease craving for tobacco.
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One of the most common causes of seizures is neurocysticercosis, an infectious disease acquired by ingesting the pig tapeworm parasite.
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Main predators of opossums are dogs, foxes, coyotes, hawks and owls. They also die in car accidents, by parasites and diseases.
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In societies with a high prevalence of parasites or diseases, greater emphasis is placed on the physical attractiveness/good looks of potential mates, compared to members of societies with a lower prevalence of parasites or diseases who put less emphasis on physical attractiveness.
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"beaver fever," a common parasitic disease acquired from drinking water, can cause permanent lactose intolerance
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The case has been made for reconceptualizing depression as an infectious disease caused by foreign invaders like parasites, bacteria or viruses, that result in changes in the brain.
Two species of tsetse fly can transmit parasites that induce sleeping sickness in humans and nagana (similar type of disease) in domestic animals.
Helminthic therapy: an experimental immunotherapy that deliberately infests the patient with specific parasitic intestinal nematodes (worms). The aim is to treat immune-mediated diseases such as IBD, Crohn's disease and MS by mitigating or alleviating immune responses via the infection. - source
The Old Friends Hypothesis states that the lack of early childhood exposure to infectious agents, microorganisms and parasites increases likelihood of allergic diseases.
Intestinal parasites can turn off immune response for Celiac disease or Crohn's disease - source
In developing countries, neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease of the nervous system and is the main cause of acquired epilepsy.
In 1865 the silk industry was in danger since two parasitic diseases were killing the silk worms.
Up to half of the worlds population is infected by toxoplasmosis (a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii) but have no symptoms. In the United States about 23% are affected,in other countries this is up to 95%. It is spread by cat feces. Pregnant women should not change cat litter.
Chagas disease is also known as Kissing disease because the insect vectors, Reduviid, prefer to bite and defacate near the human mouth, which transmits the T. cruzi parasite.
River blindness, is a disease caused by infection with a parasitic worm
A woman claiming to be a doctor, created a device called "Zapper" that promised to cure cancer, diseases and destroy parasites. She was eventually sued and lost
