T
Tapeworm
What Is a Tapeworm? A tapeworm is a long, flat, segmented parasitic worm that lives in the intestines of humans and animals. People most often become infected by eating raw or undercooked beef, pork, or fish carrying tapeworm larvae, or by swallowing food or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs. According to the CDC, human tapeworm ... Read more
H
Hookworm
What Is a Hookworm? A hookworm is a parasitic roundworm that attaches to the lining of the small intestine and feeds on blood. The two species that most commonly infect humans are Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. According to the CDC, hookworm is a leading cause of anemia and malnutrition in parts of the world ... Read more
M
Microsporidia
Microsporidia Details: Type:Obligate intracellular, spore-forming parasites Category:Intestinal and systemic protozoa-like/fungal parasites Transmission Type:Fecal‑oral Primary Target Area:Primarily the small intestine, but it can affect multiple organs, such as the eyes, muscles, and respiratory tract Lifecycle Form:Exists in two forms — environmentally resistant spores (infective form) and intracellular replicative forms (meronts/trophozoites) Incubation Period:Symptoms usually appear within a ... Read more
I
Isospora Belli
Isospora belli (also referred to as Cystoisospora belli) Isospora Belli Details: Type:Protozoan parasite (single-celled organism) Category:Intestinal protozoa Transmission Type:Fecal‑oral Primary Target Area:Small intestine Lifecycle Form:Exists in two forms — oocyst (infective form) and sporozoite/trophozoite (active form inside the host) Incubation Period:Symptoms typically appear 1–2 weeks after exposure, though timing can vary. Transmission:Isospora belli spreads when ... Read more
B
Balantidium coli
Balantidium coli (also referred to as B. coli or Balantioides coli) Balantidium coli Details: Type:Protozoan parasite (single-celled organism) Category:Intestinal protozoa Transmission Type:Fecal‑oral Primary Target Area:Large intestine (colon and cecum) Lifecycle Form:Exists in two forms — cyst (infective form) and trophozoite (active form inside the host) Incubation Period:Symptoms, when present, usually develop within a few days ... Read more
D
Dientamoeba fragilis
Dientamoeba fragilis (also referred to as D. fragilis) Dientamoeba fragilis Details: Type:Protozoan parasite (single-celled organism) Category:Intestinal protozoa Transmission Type:Waterborne and foodborne parasite Primary Target Area:Large intestine Lifecycle Form:Exists mainly as a trophozoite (active form) inside the intestines; a cyst form may exist, but is not fully established. Incubation Period:Symptoms, when present, typically develop within 1–3 ... Read more
C
Cyclospora cayetanensis
Cyclospora cayetanensis (also known simply as Cyclospora) Cyclospora cayetanensis Details: Type:Protozoan parasite (single-celled organism) Category:Intestinal protozoa Transmission Type:Waterborne and foodborne parasite Primary Target Area:Small intestine Lifecycle Form:Exists in two forms — unsporulated oocyst (non-infectious when passed in stool) and sporulated oocyst (infectious form after environmental maturation) Incubation Period:Symptoms typically appear about 1 week after exposure, ... Read more
Cryptosporidium Hominis
Cryptosporidium hominis (also known as C. hominis) Cryptosporidium hominis Details: Type:Protozoan parasite (single-celled organism) Category:Intestinal protozoa Transmission Type:Waterborne and foodborne parasite Primary Target Area:Small intestine Lifecycle Form:Exists in two forms — oocyst (infectious form) and sporozoite (active form) Incubation Period:Symptoms typically appear 2–10 days after exposure, though timing can vary. Transmission:Cryptosporidium hominis spreads through ingestion ... Read more
Cryptosporidium (Cryptosporidium parvum)
What Is Cryptosporidium? Cryptosporidium (often shortened to “crypto”) is a microscopic, single-celled parasite that infects the intestines and causes a diarrheal illness called cryptosporidiosis. It spreads mainly through contaminated water and is notable for being extremely resistant to chlorine, which makes pools and water parks a common source of outbreaks. Classification: Protozoa (Single-Celled) › Cryptosporidium ... Read more
B
Blastocystis hominis
Blastocystis hominis (also known as Blastocystis spp.) Blastocystis hominis Details: Type:Protozoan parasite (single-celled organism) Category:Intestinal protozoa Transmission Type:Fecal-oral parasite (waterborne and foodborne) Primary Target Area:Large intestine Lifecycle Form:Exists in two forms — vacuolar form (active form) and cyst (infectious form) Incubation Period:Symptoms typically appear 1–2 weeks after exposure, though many individuals remain asymptomatic. Transmission:Blastocystis hominis ... Read more
Frequently Asked Questions
Accordion content
Accordion content
Accordion content
Accordion content
