Parasitology

Arthropods of Medical Importance

A separate field ...

• Arthropods as vectors of diseases

• Importance in the llfe cycle

• Temporary, Seasonal

• Geographical and Temporal Range

Medical and Veterinary Entomolo y

• The study of insects, insect-borne diseases and other associated problems

• Humans and public health

• Livestock and companion animals

Arthropods

• Malaria, African Trypanosomiasis, Chagas Disease, Filariasis

• Bovine Babesiosis, Bovine Theileriosis, Botfly Infestation

Problems

• Annoyance

• Biting behavior

• Lice, bedbugs, fleas, deer flies, horse flies, etc.

• Abundance

• Size

• Habit of flying

Problems

• Envenomation

• Inject venom upon biting

• Toxins that may produce dangerous conditions

• Irritation at site of envenomation

Problems

• Allergic Reactions

• May also be involved in envenomation

• Contact allergies

• Respiratory allergies

• Reactions

• Desensitization

• Anaphylacti c Shock

Problems

• Invasion of host tissue

• Allows arthropods to exploit different host niches and usually involves the immature stages of parasitic arthropods

• Myiasis

• stomach, throat, nasal passages, or various subdermal sites

Problems

• Food contaminants

• Damage to food resources

• Accidental ingestion .. myiasis

• House fly .. regurgitates pathogen contaminated fluids prior, or during, feeding

Problems

• Psychological Distress

• Entomophobia

• Ekbom Syndrome .. delusory parasitosis