One interesting example of mutualism in the east African savanna is the relationship between the whistling-thorn Acacia tree (Acacia drepanolobium), large herbivores such as giraffes, and ant communities that live on the trees. Whistling-thorn Acacias reward ants that defend the trees from browsing herbivores.

A few different categories of coevolution are often discussed by scientists in ecology and evolutionary biology: pairwise coevolution, diffuse coevolution, and gene-for-gene coevolution. Pairwise coevolution (or ‘specific’ coevolution) describes tight coevolutionary relationships between two species.

A mutualistic relationship is when two organisms of different species “work together,” each benefiting from the relationship. One example of a mutualistic relationship is that of the oxpecker (a kind of bird) and the rhinoceros or zebra.

Usually, although parasites harm their hosts, it is in the parasite’s best interest not to kill the host, because it relies on the host’s body and body functions, such as digestion or blood circulation, to live. Some parasitic animals attack plants.

A parasite is an organism that lives in another organism, called the host, and often harms it. It depends on its host for survival. Without a host, a parasite cannot live, grow and multiply. For this reason, it rarely kills the host, but it can spread diseases, and some of these can be fatal.

Parasites can also indirectly affect the behavior of their hosts by disturbing their metabolism, development, or immunity. Parasitic castrators drastically modify their hosts’ metabolism and reproduction, sometimes by secreting castrating hormones, changing their behavior and physiology to benefit the parasite.

Symptoms include:

1. headache.
2. fever.
3. stiff neck.
4. loss of appetite.
5. vomiting.
6. altered mental state.
7. seizures.
8. coma.

Yes. Infections are generally treated with anti-parasitic drugs in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgery is sometimes necessary to treat cysts in certain locations, when patients are not responsive to drug treatment, or to reduce brain swelling. Not all cases of cysticercosis need treatment.

Nevertheless, many natural health practitioners recommend cleansing human parasite infections with herbal supplements, such as:

1. anise.
2. barberry.
3. berberine.
4. black walnut.
5. clove oil.
6. curled mint.
7. goldthread.
8. goldenseal.

Sometimes the worms are visible in the anal area, underwear, or in the toilet. In stools, the worms look like small pieces of white cotton thread. Because of their size and white color, pinworms are difficult to see. The male worm is rarely seen because it remains inside the intestine.

In some cases, parasites clear up on their own, especially in a person with a healthy immune system. If the parasite causes concerning symptoms or may cause complications, doctors will likely order an antiparasitic medication that kills the parasite.

The immune system can ‘remember’ infectious invaders. EPFL scientists now show how immune memory triggers the body’s ability to repair tissues damaged during worm infections. The work could lead to better drugs against worms, but also to treatments that actually promote wound healing.

Some types of intestinal worms, such as tapeworms, may disappear on their own if you have a strong immune system and healthy diet and lifestyle. However, depending on the type of intestinal worm infection, one may require treatment with an antiparasitic medication.

Chroneos, associate professor of pediatrics, and microbiology and immunology at Penn State College of Medicine, reveals how immune cells called macrophages activate to kill parasitic worms. The findings could lead to better drugs to fight common infections.