intermediate host
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Related to intermediate host: paratenic host
host
[hōst]1. an animal or plant that harbors and provides sustenance for another organism (the parasite).
2. the recipient of an organ or other tissue derived from another organism (the donor).
accidental host one that accidentally harbors an organism that is not ordinarily parasitic in the particular species.
definitive host (final host) a host in which a parasite attains sexual maturity.
intermediate host a host in which a parasite passes one or more of its asexual stages; usually designated first and second, if there is more than one.
paratenic host a potential or substitute intermediate host that serves until the appropriate definitive host is reached, and in which no development of the parasite occurs; it may or may not be necessary to the completion of the parasite's life cycle.
host of predilection the host preferred by a parasite.
primary host definitive host.
reservoir host an animal (or species) that is infected by a parasite, and which serves as a source of infection for humans or another species.
secondary host intermediate host.
transfer host one that is used until the appropriate definitive host is reached, but is not necessary to completion of the life cycle of the parasite.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
in·ter·me·di·ate host
, intermediary host1. one in which larval or developmental stages occur;
2. a host through which a microorganism can pass or which contains an asexual stage of a parasite.
Synonym(s): secondary host
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
intermediate host
n.
An organism in or on which a parasite develops to an adult but not sexually mature stage.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
in·ter·me·di·ate host
, intermediary host (in'tĕr-mē'dē-ăt hōst, in'tĕr-mē'dē-ar-ē)1. One in which larval or developmental stages occur.
2. A host through which a microorganism can pass or contains an asexual stage of a parasite.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
intermediate host
any host upon which a parasite spends that part of its life cycle in which it is not sexually active.Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005