Parasitology Terms

noun a person or animal that sucks blood, especially a vampire or mosquito

• The scientist studied the behavior of the bloodsucker in its natural habitat.
• I heard that guy is a real bloodsucker, always asking for favors.
• Watch out for that bloodsucker, he'll try to take advantage of you.
• In the world of finance, some people refer to loan sharks as bloodsuckers.

adjective describing something related to or characteristic of malaria

• The patient was diagnosed with a severe case of malarial infection.
• I heard that Tom got really sick with malarial fever after his trip to Africa.
• I need to take some meds for this malarial thing I picked up in the jungle.
• The corruption in that government is like a malarial disease, spreading and infecting everything it touches.

adjective describing something that relates to or characteristic of a parasite; exploiting another organism for one's own benefit

• The parasitic organism was found to be draining nutrients from the host.
• That parasitic bug is really annoying me.
• I can't stand those parasitic leeches.
• Her parasitic behavior in the workplace was causing tension among colleagues.

noun a parasitic flatworm that lives in the intestines of vertebrates

• A tapeworm is a type of parasitic flatworm that can live in the intestines of animals and humans.
• I heard that Sally had to get rid of a tapeworm she picked up while traveling.
• I feel like I have a tapeworm after eating so much junk food last night.
• The corrupt politician was described as a tapeworm, feeding off the resources of the community.

noun a substance used to kill worms or parasites

• The doctor prescribed a vermicide to treat the parasitic infection.
• I heard vermicide is really effective in getting rid of worms in pets.
• My grandma swears by that vermicide stuff for deworming her cats.
• Education is like a vermicide for ignorance, helping to eradicate misconceptions and falsehoods.

noun a parasite that lives inside the body of its host

• The endoparasite was detected during the routine examination of the patient's stool sample.
• The doctor found an endoparasite in the poop sample.
• Eww, there was a creepy crawly endoparasite living inside that guy.
• The toxic relationship acted like an endoparasite, slowly draining the energy and happiness from her life.

noun a medication or treatment used to remove parasitic worms from an animal

verb to remove parasitic worms from (an animal)

• It is important to deworm your pets regularly to prevent parasitic infections.
• Don't forget to deworm your dog before the summer season starts.
• I heard that Jenny's cat got sick because she didn't deworm it on time.
• Sometimes we need to deworm our minds from negative thoughts to feel better.

noun a phylum of parasitic worms characterized by a cylindrical proboscis with hooks for attaching to the host's intestines

• The study of acanthocephali involves examining the parasitic worms found in the intestines of vertebrates.
• I read an interesting article about acanthocephali, those weird worms that infect animals.
• Have you heard about those creepy acanthocephali worms that live in fish?
• The corruption in the government can be likened to acanthocephali, slowly draining the resources of the country.

noun a genus of mites that are parasitic on bees

• The acarapis mite is a common pest found in beehives.
• I heard that acarapis mites can really harm bee colonies.
• Those acarapis critters are a real pain for beekeepers.
• The presence of acarapis in the beehive is like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

noun a taxonomic group that includes the mites and ticks

• Acari are tiny arachnids that are often found in dust and on plants.
• I heard that acari can cause allergies in some people.
• I hate those creepy crawly acari things!
• The acari of doubt began to infest his mind, causing him to question everything.

• The Acaridea is a subclass of arachnids that includes mites and ticks.
• I learned about Acaridea in my biology class, they're like tiny spiders.
• Those Acaridea critters are everywhere in the forest, man.
• The Acaridea infestation in the house was a symbol of neglect and decay.

noun a place or structure where acari or mites are kept or studied

• The acarinarium at the zoo is a specialized area where visitors can observe and learn about mites and ticks.
• I heard the acarinarium at the museum has some really cool interactive exhibits.
• Let's check out the creepy crawlies in the acarinarium, it'll be fun!
• His cluttered desk looked like an acarinarium with papers and files scattered everywhere.

noun a plural form of the noun acariosis, which refers to a disease caused by mites or ticks

• The veterinarian diagnosed the chickens with acarioses, a type of parasitic infestation.
• My neighbor's chickens have acarioses, poor things.
• I heard that the farm down the road is dealing with some nasty acarioses in their livestock.
• The spread of misinformation can be likened to an acarioses, infecting minds with falsehoods.

noun a skin disease caused by infestation with mites

• Acariosis is a skin condition caused by mites infesting the skin.
• My dog was diagnosed with acariosis, but the vet said it's treatable.
• I heard acariosis is going around the neighborhood, so make sure to keep your pets clean.
• The acariosis of corruption had spread through the government, infecting every level of authority.

noun a taxonomic group within the kingdom Protozoa, consisting of parasitic organisms

• Actinomyxidiida is a class of parasitic protozoa that infects various marine invertebrates.
• I heard that Actinomyxidiida is a type of parasite that affects sea creatures.
• Those Actinomyxidiida things are like tiny sea bugs causing trouble.
• The spread of Actinomyxidiida in the ecosystem is like a silent invasion.