Introduction to Tools and Methods for Parasitic Studies: Common Research Tools

INTRODUCTION TO TOOLS AND METHODS FOR PARASITIC STUDIES: COMMON RESEARCH TOOLS

Ma. Queenie Rose Amosco|May Lacdao|Jenny Rose Policarpio|Gina Marie Roxas|Mae Ervison Ruaro

Department of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, 2600 Philippines

Abstract. Parasitic studies are integral in medical advancement due to the fact that parasitic infections are contributory to the occurrence of diseases, illnesses and eventual death of several living organisms, not only humans. Researches in parasitology require an amount of familiarity, if not expertise, on techniques and methods that are used in order to produce quality studies. In this exercise, students are tasked to compute for prevalence, a common research tool, of ectoparasites on Rattus tanezumi and Rattus exulans using a hypothetical data set. Tabulated values of computed prevalence showed that there is a variation in the prevalence of ectoparasites. Calculations showed that the prevalence of ticks, mites, fleas and lice on R. Tanezumi are 70.6%, 76.5%, 70.6% and 58.8%, respectively. On the other hand, the aforementioned ectoparasites were found to have, in the same order, the respective prevalence values of 52.2%, 65.2%, 69.6%, and 65.2%.

INTRODUCTION

Accordingly, parasitic infections, specifically internal parasitic infections, constitute the single the greatest worldwide cause of illness and disease. (Mehraj, Hatcher, Akhtar, Rafique, & Beg, 2008) Poverty is associated with poor housing, improper sanitation and hygiene, lack of clean and potable water, crowded living conditions and close association with domestic animals. These environments are avenues for greater possibility of disease and parasitic infections. (Epidemiology) Various countries all over the globe have areas where poverty is rampant and dismal living conditions are prevalent, thus, parasitic infections are of global concern.

In order to address such predicaments, studying the processes and mechanisms by which infections occur is a necessity. Data collected from researches can be used to examine potential causes of disease and infection, and to investigate the relationship between features of interest and environmental variables and pressures. This information, once accumulated and analyzed, can be used to formulate appropriate responses. Thus, studies can be used to contribute to the diagnosis of the cause of illness; and assess the success of actions taken to maintain health or to reverse undesirable changes, and, where necessary, contribute to their improvement.

However, in order to do this, there is a need for expertise or in the least, familiarity with the methods, tools and techniques of conducting researches which are highly focused on parasitology. Common tools and methods include the computation of prevalence, density, and mean intensity. Computed values using the respective formulae could be used for inferences and conclusions which are bases on recommendations as to how a certain society will be able to address health problems such as parasitic infections.

In this exercise, the main objective is to familiarize one's self with the previously mentioned computational tools and be able to apply them to a hypothetical set of data.

METHODS

Data Set

A hypothetical set of data regarding the ectoparasite infestation of two rat species, namely, Rattus tanezumi and Rattus exulans, was provided by the instructor. The table is depicted as follows:

ECTOPARASITES

Host Ticks Mites Fleas Lice

1 Rattus tanezumi Male 5 89 3 12

2 Rattus exulans Female 8 63 2 16

3 Rattus exulans Male 9 25 5 23

4 Rattus tanezumi Female 6 25 3 1

5 Rattus tanezumi Male 0 13 2 14

6 Rattus tanezumi Female 0 25 3 4

7 Rattus exulans Female 6 0 0 0

8 Rattus tanezumi Female 5 63 0 2

9 Rattus exulans Female 8 24 0 0

10 Rattus exulans Male 2 0 6 5

11 Rtftus exulans Female 0 0 3 0

12 Rattus tanezumi Male 5 0 5 6

13 Rattus exulans Female 6 5 2 0

14 Rattus tanezumi Male 0 5 0 3

15 Rattus exulans Male 9 0 0 6

16 Rattus tanezumi Male 8 0 0 4

17 Rattus tanezumi Female 0 0 0 0

18 Rattus tanezumi Female 5 5 2 12

19 Rattus tanezumi Female 6 86 5 0

20 Rattus tanezumi Female 11 6 1 2

21 Rattus tanezumi Female 25 3 1 5

22 Rattus exulans Female 0 6 1 0

23 Rattus