Parasites

A parasite is an organism that lives off of another organism to obtain food and shelter. Often times the parasite will cause harm to its host organism, but others may live without affecting the host's condition. Some parasites can live without their hosts.MSN Encarta: Parasite

Some parasites have been known to cause a change in the behavior of their hosts. Toxoplasmosis infections in rats can cause a rat to become attracted to cat urine rather than become panicked by the urine like a normal rats. The parasite benefits from this behavior because ingestion by a cat continues its life cycle. This behavior of seeking out predators is found in ant and fish parasites as well.LiveScience: Mind Control by Parasites

• Amebic dysentary
• Chagas disease
• Leishmaniasis
• African sleeping sickness
• Malaria
• River blindness
• Elephantiasis
• Giardia
• ToxoplasmosisMicrobiology and Immunology Online: Parasitology

• Amazon.com: Parasite Books and Merchandise

• Barnes & Noble: Books

• Alibris: Parasite Books

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