Top 10 Most Dangerous Parasites

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Published on April 25, 2012 4:33:29 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovJ8Pxoo3NM

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Acanthamoeba Keratitis (Eye Eating Parasite) - Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused when, once inside the eye, the Acanthamoeba secretes proteins that dissolve the surface of the cornea. The amoeba makes its way into the cornea and then feeds on the bacteria present in the eye, as well as the corneal cells themselves. This can cause eye pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and excessive tearing. If left untreated, the disease can cause severe pain and eventually blindness.

Baylisascaris Procyonis (Raccoon Roundworm) - Baylisascaris infection, also called raccoon roundworm infection, is an extremely rare disease that typically affects young children (who pick up and ingest raccoon feces). In rare cases, the larvae will break through the brain's defenses and begin eating the tissue from the inside out. Initial symptoms can include excessive sleeping and high white blood cell count. Depending on which part of the brain is affected first, loss of balance and even vision loss (if the parasite attacks the visual cortex) can follow next. The result is severe and permanent brain damage, even death. There have been no known full recoveries from this infection.

Loa Loa (They Eye Worm) - The larvae of this nematode worm infect humans through fly bites, and the adult can travel through the body's tissue for years. Most common in west and central Africa, symptoms include itching, swelling and even brain damage in very unlucky victims. The worm only becomes obvious when it reaches the eye, where it can be easily seen and, more horribly, felt by its victim as it squirms across the soft tissue beneath the cornea. This is also when the worm is fairly simple to remove under local anaesthetic.

Naegleria Fowleri (The Brain Eating Amoeba) - The Naegleria fowleri parasite causes a rare but very severe, usually fatal brain infection. It leads to primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease in which brain tissue is destroyed. Symptoms usually begin within two weeks of infection and include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and a stiff neck. As the infection progresses, the infected individual may become confused, unable to focus on their surroundings and unable to balance properly. They may also experience seizures and hallucinations. The infection progresses rapidly and generally causes death within 3 to 7 days.

Plasmodium Parasite (Malaria) - In humans, the Plasmodium parasite grows and multiplies in the liver cells and later in red blood cells. Broods of these parasites grow inside the red blood cells and release "daughter parasites" that go on to invade other cells in a relentless 48-hour cycle. As this occurs, humans display a wide variety of symptoms. These include fever, chills, sweating, headaches and muscle pains — much like the symptoms of the common flu. In a classic and uncomplicated case of malaria, the attack lasts 6-10 hours and is divided into a cold (shivering) stage, a hot (fever) stage and a sweating stage. These attacks occur every 2 to 3 days throughout the duration of the infection.
But severe complications can include cerebral malaria (seizures, coma, neurologic abnormalities), anemia, kidney failure, cardiovascular collapse, pulmonary edema, and other life-threatening ailments. Severe malaria usually occurs in people who have compromised immune systems or whose immunity has decreased as a result of high malaria transmission rates. The incubation period for malaria is generally 7 to 30 days, after which the symptoms become apparent. Some dormant forms of malaria can cause symptoms several months or even years after the initial mosquito bite.

Strongyloidiasis (Treadworm) - Infection from Strongyloides is generally characterized by gastrointestinal problems, including bloating, distension, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The disease can also cause rashes, usually on the feet but sometimes across other parts of the body. If the disease becomes disseminated throughout the host, the infection can cause wheezing, coughing, and meningitis-like symptoms.

Taenia Solium (Pork Tapeworm) -