[Elizabeth_Zeibig]_Clinical_Parasitology__A_Practi(z-lib.org)

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APPENDIX A
Glossary
larva (pl., larvae) Juvenile stage of a worm. Singular,
larva.
larval Pertaining to larvae.
leishmaniasis General and collective name for the
diseases caused by any organisms of the genus
Leishmania.
lymphadenopathy Enlargement of the lymph
nodes.
macrogametocyte (pl., macrogametocytes)
Female sex cell that occurs in the malarial life
cycle.
macronucleus Large, often kidney-bean shaped
nucleus found in Balantidium coli. The macronucleus
shape may vary.
malaria, malarial Name for the disease caused by
infection with Plasmodium spp.; pertaining to
malaria.
malarial malaria Name for the form of malaria
caused by plasmodium malarial.
malignant tertian malaria Disease caused by
Plasmodium falciparum that develops following
a relatively short incubation period of 7 to 10
days. Daily episodes of chills and fever, as well
as severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, rapidly
develop, followed by cyclic paroxysms, which
occur every 36 to 48 hours. A fulminating
disease results and the intestinal symptoms
(nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) mimic those seen in
malignant infections—hence, the name malignant
tertian malaria. It is also known as black
water fever.
mature schizont (pl., schizonts) Fully developed
stage of the asexual sporozoa trophozoite (i.e.,
Plasmodium spp.) characterized by the presence
of mature merozoites.
Maurer’s dot (pl., dots) A dark-red staining,
irregular to comma-shaped dot located in the
cytoplasm of red blood cells infected with Plasmodium
falciparum; also known as Maurer’s
clefts. Maurer’s dots tend to have a more bluish
tint after Giemsa staining than Schüffner’s dots.
median body (pl., median bodies) Slightly rodlike-shaped
structure (resembling a comma)
located in the posterior portion of Giardia intestinalis
trophozoites and cysts. Although they are
believed to be associated with energy or metabolism,
or with supporting the organism’s posterior
end, their exact function is unclear.
megacolon Enlargement of the colon seen in
infections caused by the presence of Trypanosoma
cruzi.
megaesophagus Enlargement of the esophagus
seen in infections caused by the presence of Trypanosoma
cruzi.
merozoite (pl., merozoites) Contents of the fully
developed stage of the asexual Sporozoa trophozoite
(i.e., Plasmodium spp., the mature schizont)
produced in both the liver cells and RBCs
and capable of initiating infection in previously
healthy red blood cells.
metacercaria (pl., metacerariae) Encysted form
of the fluke life cycle; occurs on water plants or
in the second intermediate host, such as fish,
crabs, or crayfish. It is the infective stage for
humans.
metamorphosis Transition of one developmental
stage into another. In the case of the arthropods,
the nymphs resemble the adults morphologically
in incomplete (simple) metamorphosis. In complete
metamorphosis, the developmental stages
(larvae and pupa) do not morphologically resemble
the adults.
Metazoa Subkingdom that consists of multicellular
organisms, including parasitic worms.
microfilaria (pl., microfilariae) The embryonic
stage of a filarial parasite. Adult female filarial
worms lay live microfilariae; there is no known
egg stage.
microgametocyte (pl., microgametocytes) Male
sex cell that occurs in the malarial life cycle.
micron (pl., microns) Measuring unit of parasites;
also known as a micrometer; one thousandth
(10 −3 ) of a millimeter or one millionth (10 −6 ) of
a meter. Microns are abbreviated as µ or µm.
micronucleus Small dotlike nucleus found in Balantidium
coli; often difficult to see, even in
stained preparations.
miracidium First-stage larva of flukes that emerge
from the egg in fresh water, equipped with cilia,
which aid in movement. This is the infective
stage for the first intermediate host (snail).
mode of transmission (pl., modes of transmission)
The means whereby a parasite gains entry
into an unsuspecting host.
Montenegro skin test A test similar to that of the
tuberculin skin test used for screening large populations
at risk for contracting Leishmania spp.
infections.
mucocutaneous Refers to disease that causes
lesions of the skin and mucous membranes, specifically
in the oral and nasal mucosa regions of
the body.