Parasites: Hidden threats to the health of living organisms and ecosystems: Mini review

Abstract

Parasites spread around the world, parasitizing on the bodies of humans, animals and plants, causing many health and environmental damages. Parasites are organisms that live at the expense of another organism, called a host, without benefiting them. Many parasites cause serious infectious diseases in humans, such as malaria, elephantiasis, hepatitis B, and echinococcosis., some parasites affect the absorption of nutrients from food, leading to malnutrition, especially in children Some parasites cause physical deformities and disability, such as elephantiasis. Some parasites cause deadly diseases, such as malaria. Parasites affect animal health and parasites cause many infectious diseases in animals, such as brucellosis, scabies, and trypanosomiasis. Some parasites affect animal productivity, such as low milk production in cows. Some parasites cause deadly diseases in animals, such as tapeworm disease.