Top 10 Human Parasites: List with short Descriptions, and Footage

Top 10 Human Parasites List

Table of Contents

A list of the Top 10 Human Parasites is summarized as follows-

Plasmodium spp.

Causes malaria, transmitted by infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It invades red blood cells, leading to fever, chills, and anemia.

Entamoeba histolytica

Responsible for amoebiasis, spread through contaminated food or water. It causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and liver abscesses.

Ascaris lumbricoides

A large roundworm causing ascariasis is transmitted via contaminated soil. It leads to intestinal obstruction, malnutrition, and respiratory symptoms.

Giardia lamblia

A flagellated protozoan causing giardiasis spread through contaminated water or food. It results in diarrhea, bloating, and malabsorption.

Taenia solium

Known as the pork tapeworm, it causes taeniasis and cysticercosis, affecting the intestines or brain when ingested through contaminated pork or water.

Toxoplasma gondii

Causes toxoplasmosis, transmitted through undercooked meat or cat feces. It is dangerous for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.

Trichomonas vaginalis

A protozoan causing trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, itching, and discomfort during urination.

Schistosoma spp.

Causes schistosomiasis, transmitted via freshwater snails. It leads to liver, intestinal, and bladder damage, causing chronic organ dysfunction.

Infections through skin contact with contaminated soil, cause anemia, malnutrition, and developmental delays in children.

Wuchereria bancrofti

A filarial worm causing lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), transmitted by mosquitoes. It leads to swelling of limbs and genitalia due to lymphatic damage.

Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte (banana shape) on blood smear

Entamoeba histolytica(EH) quadrinucleated cyst in iodine wet mount of feces microscopic examination

Cysts of Giardia lamblia in saline wet mount of feces microscopic examination