COMPILATION OF
Asynchronous Activities
IN
MICROBIOLOGY
AND
PARASITOLOGY
SUBMITTED BY:
SHAMELLE B. TOBIAS
BSN 1-1
SUBMITTED TO:
DR. EMMELINE TORRES- AREL
PROFESSOR
HELMINTHS
SUBMITTED BY:
SHAMELLE B. TOBIAS
BSN 1-1
SUBMITTED TO:
DR. EMMELINE TORRES- AREL
PROFESSOR
TOBIAS, SHAMELLE B.
BSN 1-1
HELMINTHS
MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY
1. WHAT IS HELMINTH?
Helminths are a diverse group of multicellular organisms commonly
known as "worms" that play a significant role in the field of
microbiology and parasitology. These parasitic worms belong to
the animal kingdom and are distinct from microorganisms like
bacteria and viruses. Helminths can infect and live in various hosts,
1
including humans, animals, and plants, causing a range of parasitic
infections known as helminthiasis. They are found world wide and
are some of the most common parasites in poor, less developed
countries in the tropical and subtropical regions, causing serious
disease due to migration in the body. The life cycle of many
helminths is complex and may involve more than one host. The
definitive host is the host in which the sexually mature adult
helminth lives. In order for the parasite to continue its life cycle, the
larval (developmental) form(s) of the parasite may need to be
passed from one intermediate host to another.
2. DISCUSS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
NEMAHELMINTHES AND PLATYHEMLMINTHES.
PROVIDE PICTURES OF THE TWO.
Nematoda (roundworms) and Platyhelminthes (flatworms) are
2 two distinct classes of worms in microbiology and parasitology.
Nematoda have a cylindrical, unsegmented body, a complete
digestive system, and separate sexes. Platyhelminthes have a
flattened body with bilateral symmetry and varying reproductive
systems across classes. Nematoda are more advanced
organisms with complex organ systems, while Platyhelminthes
exhibit simpler organization. Both groups may include parasitic
species that can cause infections in humans and animals.
Platyhelminthes
CHARACTERISTICS Nematoda (Roundworms)
(Flatworms)
PICTURE
Body Shape Cylindrical, tubular Flattened, ribbon-like
Body Symmetry Bilateral symmetry Bilateral symmetry
Some are segmented
Body Segmentation Unsegmented (Cestoda)
Incomplete digestive system
Complete digestive system with a single opening
Digestive System
with mouth serving as both mouth and
anus
Hermaphroditic (Trematoda,
Reproductive
Separate sexes (dioecious) Cestoda) and some are
System
separate sexes (Turbellaria)
Complexity of More complex with a nervous Simpler compared to
Organs system Nematoda
Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma spp., Taenia
Examples
Hookworms, Pinworms spp., Planarians, Liver flukes
3. IN TABULAR FORMAT, DISCUSS
EACH ROUNDWORM. PROVIDE THE
OTHER NAME, DESCRIPTION, AND
DOC. (120). SEARCH PICTURES OF
THE FOLLOWING. CUT AND PASTE
THEM IN A BOND PAPER. NOTE:
3
TWO (2) ORGANISMS IN ONE
BOND PAPER.
DOC (Drug of
Roundworm Other Name Description
Choice)
Albendazole,
Ascaris Giant Intestinal Common intestinal
Mebendazole,
lumbricoides Worm parasite in humans
Ivermectin
Parasitic hookworm Albendazole,
Necator
Hookworm infecting human Mebendazole,
americanus
intestines Ivermectin
Another species of Albendazole,
Ancylostoma Old World
parasitic hookworm Mebendazole,
duodenale Hookworm
in humans Ivermectin
Parasitic
Stronyloides Ivermectin,
Threadworm roundworm causing
stercoralis Albendazole
strongyloidiasis
Causes
Trichinella Albendazole,
Trichina worm trichinellosis, a
spiralis Mebendazole
foodborne infection
Trichuris Named for its whip- Albendazole,
Whipworm
trichura like appearance Mebendazole
Common intestinal
Enterobius Mebendazole,
Pinworm parasite, especially
vermicularis Pyrantel pamoate
in children
Capillaria Intestinal Causes intestinal Albendazole,
philippinensis Capillariasis infection Mebendazole
Causes
Onchecerca River Blindness
onchocerciasis (river Ivermectin
volvulus Worm
blindness)
Causes lymphatic
Wucheria Bancroftian Diethylcarbamazine
filariasis
bancrofti filariasis (DEC), Ivermectin
(elephantiasis)
Brugian Another cause of Diethylcarbamazine
Brugia malayi
filariasis lymphatic filariasis (DEC), Ivermectin
Causes
Dranunculus dracunculiasis Extraction of worm
Guinea worm
medinensis (Guinea worm from the body
disease)
Parasitic hookworm Pyrantel pamoate,
Ancyclostoma Canine
found in dogs and Fenbendazole,
braziliense hookworm
cats Albendazole
Toxocara Canine Found in dogs and Albendazole,
canis roundworm other canids Mebendazole
Ascaris lumbricoides
Necator americanus
Ancylostoma duodenale
Stronyloides stercoralis
Trichinella spiralis
Trichuris trichura
Enterobius vermicularis
Capillaria philippinensis
Onchecerca volvulus
Wucheria bancrofti
Brugia malayi
Dranunculus medinensis
Ancyclostoma braziliense
Toxocara canis
4. IN TABULAR FORMAT, DISCUSS
EACH FLATWORM. PROVIDE THE
OTHER NAME, DESCRIPTION, AND
DOC. (110) SEARCH PICTURES OF THE
FOLLOWING. CUT AND PASTE THEM 4
IN A BOND PAPER. NOTE: TWO (2)
ORGANISMS IN ONE BOND PAPER.
DOC (Drug of
Flatworm Other Name Description
Choice)
Parasitic tapeworm found in pigs Praziquantel,
Taenia solium Pork Tapeworm
and humans Albendazole
Parasitic tapeworm found in cattle Praziquantel,
Taenia saginata Beef Tapeworm
and humans Albendazole
Diphyllobothrium Parasitic tapeworm contracted Praziquantel,
Fish Tapeworm
latum from eating raw fish Niclosamide
Dwarf One of the most common Praziquantel,
Hymenolepsis nana
Tapeworm tapeworms in humans Niclosamide
Echinococcus Causes echinococcosis, a severe Albendazole,
Dog Tapeworm
granulosus parasitic infection Mebendazole
Schistosoma Oriental Blood
Causes schistosomiasis in humans Praziquantel
japonicum Fluke
Schistosoma
Blood Fluke Causes schistosomiasis in humans Praziquantel
mansoni
Schistosoma Urinary Blood Causes urinary schistosomiasis in
Praziquantel
haematobium Fluke humans
Paragonimus Causes paragonimiasis, affecting
Lung Fluke Praziquantel
westermani the lungs
Large Intestinal Triclabendazole,
Fasciolopsis buski Causes intestinal fasciolopsiasis
Fluke Bithionol
Common Liver Causes fascioliasis, affecting the Triclabendazole,
Fasciola hepatica
Fluke liver Bithionol
Giant Liver Causes fascioliasis, affecting the Triclabendazole,
Fasciola gigantica
Fluke liver Bithionol
Taenia solium
Taenia saginata
Diphyllobothrium latum
Hymenolepsis nana
Echinococcus granulosus
Schistosoma japonicum
Schistosoma mansoni
Schistosoma
haematobium
Paragonimus westermani
Fasciolopsis buski
Fasciola hepatica
Fasciola gigantica
5.WHAT ARE ANTHELMINTICS?
DISCUSS THE MOA AND USE
OF THE FOLLOWING:
a. Albendazole
5
b. Mebendazole
c. Pyrantel Pamoate
d. Piperazine
e. Ivermectin
f. Thiabendazole
g. Diethylcarbamazine
h. Praziquantel
i. Niclosamide
Anthelmintics are a class of drugs used to
treat helminth (worm) infections, specifically
parasitic worm infections. They work by
targeting the worms and either killing them
or preventing their growth and
reproduction. Each anthelmintic has a
specific mechanism of action (MOA) that
allows it to effectively combat different
types of worms. Here is a brief discussion of
the MOA and uses of the mentioned
anthelmintics:
1. Albendazole:
MOA: Albendazole interferes with the worms' cellular
processes, resulting in energy depletion, paralysis, and death.
Uses: Albendazole is effective against a wide range of
helminths, including roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms.
2. Mebendazole:
MOA: Mebendazole hinders the worms' glucose absorption,
leading to energy depletion, immobilization, and subsequent
death.
Uses: Mebendazole is effective against various intestinal
worms, such as roundworms, pinworms, and whipworms.
3. Pyrantel Pamoate:
MOA: Pyrantel Pamoate induces paralysis in worms by
disrupting neuromuscular transmission, leading to worm
expulsion from the intestines.
Uses: Pyrantel Pamoate is primarily used to treat intestinal
worm infections, including roundworms and hookworms.
4. Piperazine:
MOA: Piperazine paralyzes the worms by affecting their
nervous system, facilitating their removal from the intestines.
Uses: Piperazine is utilized to treat roundworm and pinworm
infections.
5. Ivermectin:
MOA: Ivermectin disrupts the worms' nerve impulses, resulting
in paralysis and death of the parasites.
Uses: Ivermectin is highly effective against various parasites,
including certain roundworms, threadworms, and external
parasites like mites and lice.
6. Thiabendazole:
MOA: Thiabendazole inhibits energy production in the worms,
leading to their demise.
Uses: Thiabendazole is employed to treat systemic infections
caused by larvae of specific worms, such as Strongyloides
stercoralis.
7. Diethylcarbamazine (DEC):
MOA: Diethylcarbamazine immobilizes and kills microfilariae,
the larval form of certain filarial worms.
Uses: DEC is used to treat lymphatic filariasis and
onchocerciasis (river blindness).
8. Praziquantel:
MOA: Praziquantel increases the permeability of the worms'
cell membranes to calcium, causing muscle spasms, paralysis,
and eventual disintegration of the worms.
Uses: Praziquantel is highly effective against various
flatworms, including tapeworms and schistosomes.
9. Niclosamide:
MOA: Niclosamide disrupts the worms' metabolism, leading to
energy depletion and death.
Uses: Niclosamide is used to treat tapeworm infections,
particularly those caused by Diphyllobothrium latum.
REFERENCES
What are helminths? (n.d.). @Yourgenome · Science
Website. https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-
are-helminths/
CDC - Parasites - about parasites. (n.d.).
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/about.html
Burch, K. (2021). What are helminths? Verywell Health.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/helminths-5207511
Worms: phyla platyhelmintes, nematoda, and
annelida manoa.hawaii.edu/ExploringOurFluidEarth.
(n.d.).platyhelmintes-nematoda-and-annelida
Libretexts. (2021). 15.3: Flatworms, nematodes, and
arthropods. Biology LibreTexts.
