Entozoon is a term derived from the Greek words "entos," meaning inside, and "zoon," meaning animal. It refers to any parasitic animal or organism that lives and thrives on or within the body of another organism, known as the host. Entozoans are commonly found in both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, including humans. They belong to various taxonomic groups, such as roundworms, tapeworms, flukes, or parasitic protozoans.
These parasitic organisms survive by absorbing nutrients from the host's body. They typically exhibit complex life cycles, often involving multiple hosts, with different stages of their development taking place in different environments. Entozoans may reside in various organs or tissues, including the intestines, respiratory tract, blood vessels, or other body cavities. They negatively impact the host's health by competing for nutrients, causing physical damage, or transmitting diseases.
Entozoons can cause a wide range of diseases, such as malaria, trichinosis, giardiasis, or elephantiasis, depending on the type of organism and the affected host. Diagnosis of entozoan infections usually involves microscopic examination of bodily fluids or tissues to detect the presence of eggs, larvae, or adult stages of the parasites. Treatment often involves the use of antiparasitic drugs specific to the particular entozoon causing the infection.
In summary, an entozoon is a parasitic organism that lives inside another organism and feeds off its resources. It may cause disease or other health complications, requiring proper diagnosis and treatment.
