- #1
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Gruesome but not often lethal:
One of my Favorite Parasites
- Thread starter BillTre
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around various parasites, focusing on their life cycles, effects on hosts, and the complexity of interactions between multiple organisms. Participants share their thoughts on specific parasites, including Dracunculus medinensis and Onchocerca volvulus, and mention related concepts such as hyperparasites and superparasites.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants describe certain parasites as gruesome but not often lethal, highlighting the disturbing nature of their life cycles.
- One participant mentions the concept of hyperparasites, suggesting a record of up to 14 layers of parasites, though they express uncertainty about the accuracy of this number.
- Another participant shares their interest in Dracunculus medinensis, noting its complex life cycle and historical context involving Jimmy Carter.
- A participant discusses Onchocerca volvulus, detailing its transmission through black fly bites and the subsequent damage caused by its larvae, as well as the role of the bacterium Wolbachia in increasing inflammatory responses.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the nature and impact of different parasites, with no consensus on which is the most significant or interesting. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple perspectives presented.
Contextual Notes
Some claims are based on personal recollections or interpretations, leading to potential inaccuracies, such as the uncertain number of hyperparasite layers. The discussion also touches on the interplay between different organisms, which may not be fully explored.
- #2
sbrothy
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Yeah, that one is particularly nasty. Poor fish is eating and eating not understanding why not much enters the stomach. Look up hyperparasites too. I think the record is about 14, where only the innermost one survives. Natures sure isn't pretty!
EDIT: Well, I don't know where I came up with that number. I seem to remember reading it but I may be wrong...
EDIT2: And apparently superparasite is a word too. Sounds really nice.
EDIT: Well, I don't know where I came up with that number. I seem to remember reading it but I may be wrong...
EDIT2: And apparently superparasite is a word too. Sounds really nice.
- #3
pinball1970
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That is horrific.BillTre said:
- #4
Cepacia
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My favorite - Dracunculus medinensis - dragon of Medina. Great life cycle
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Jimmy Carter was their nemesis.Cepacia said:
Human parasite. Nasty to get.
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DaveC426913
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sbrothy said:
- #7
pinball1970
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Favourite is the wrong word but this stood out when I read about it.
River blindness caused a combination of Black fly bite then infection of the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus (seen exiting the fly via its antenna below)
Once in the body larvae do the damage to the tissues including the cornea.
This cycle has additional effect of the bacterium, Wolbachia (present in the worms) which increases the inflammatory response.
So not one but three organisms working together. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onchocerca_volvulus
River blindness caused a combination of Black fly bite then infection of the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus (seen exiting the fly via its antenna below)
Once in the body larvae do the damage to the tissues including the cornea.
This cycle has additional effect of the bacterium, Wolbachia (present in the worms) which increases the inflammatory response.
So not one but three organisms working together. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onchocerca_volvulus
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