Taenia Solium — The Pork Tapeworm infects humans in two distinct ways. The normal route of infection is though ingestion of contaminated meat, typically pork, containing the tapeworm larva. The larva attach itself to the intestinal wall of its host and develops into an adult worm. This form of infection is considered relatively harmless by the medical community because the parasite consumes minor amounts of the host’s nutrients. The second route of infection is less common, but is considered extremely dangerous. If a human ingests food contaminated with the tapeworm’s embryonated egg stage, the eggs hatch inside the host’s small intestine, perforates the intestinal wall, and then migrate throughout the host’s circulatory system. From there, the larvae preferentially intrude into the brain and smooth muscle tissues causing severe damage to the host. This form of infection is most prevalent in underdeveloped countries, where meat is consumed raw or undercooked.
Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis is a fungus who’s spores attach to an ant, slowly break through the exoskeleton, and then manipulate the ants behavior to suit it’s own needs, creating what is often referred to as a ‘zombie ant’. After infection by the fungus, the ant leaves its colony, and carries the fungus to the forest floor where it searches for a suitable plant which the ant bites onto. After permanently attaching itself to the plant, the fungus kills the ant, consumes its body, and then sends up a spore shoot to start the whole cycle over.
Hymenoepimecis Argyraphaga is a parasitic wasp that lays an egg on the underside of an unsuspecting spider. After the egg hatches, the larva bores a hole through the spider’s abdomen so it can feed off of the spider’s blood until it matures. Once the larva matures, it injects the spider with a biochemical that reprograms the spider’s brain to build a web designed to support the wasp's cocoon. After the web is completed, the larva kills the spider and consumes its body fluids prior to pupation.
If the parasite examples above don’t have you convinced that humans are at risk of being controlled by a much simpler organism, then let me introduce you to Toxoplasma gondii. It’s a nasty little protozoa that causes a disease called toxoplasmosis and is estimated to have already infected 30% of the human population. Research has shown that when rats are infected with toxoplasma, the parasite causes them to lose their natural fear of cats. Cats are the primary host for Toxoplasma and although the protozoa can infect all mammals, it can only reproduce in felines. So the infected rat loses its innate fear of cats, gets eaten, and the protozoa can reproduce and spread. Research suggest that Toxoplasma may also effect human behavior and the parasite does infect brain tissue.
Dryopteri filix-mas is a common fern found throughout North America. The root of the fern contains the compounds Filicin and Filmarone, which are natural vermifuges — drugs that cause the expulsion or death of intestinal worms including tapeworms, hook worms, liver flukes, round worms, and pin worms.
Sources: Wikipedia, and the internet.
About the Author
For the last several years I have been working as a Manufacturing Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry. My interests include, hiking, camping, geology, and exploring old mining camps. When I am not spending time with my family or enjoying the outdoors, I write fictional novels and short stories for young readers.
I value reader impute and welcome comments and questions about my books. I also realize that some typographical errors might slip by myself, or the editors. If you find an error, please feel free to send me an email and I will make an effort to remove the error in the next revision.
Thanks again, Ben Hughes
Emaiclass="underline" kelso1901@yahoo.com
My Other Books
My science fiction books do contain some suggestive content and an occasional curse word. These are not romance novels, but there may be some romance and adult situations within the story line. They do have scenes of violence and some graphic content.
My fantasy books are written for young readers who have graduated from picture books to chapter books. They do not contain any explicit content or profanity. They do have some mild violence that might not be suitable for all readers.
Dreamstone
Dominate Species
Dragon Adventure Series:
Book One: A Dragon Named Splinter
Book Two: The Blue Dragon
Book Three: The Dragon Wizard
Book Four: Fire Dragons
Copyright
Copyright 2014 Ben L. Hughes
Edited By: Jen Hughes and Lynn Cummings
Revision Date: November 30th 2014
Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.