They’re small, sneaky, and likely to make you sick. From viruses, to bacteria, to pesky protozoa, here are the latest findings on the parasites that live among (and on, and in) the creatures of the Earth.
Related Topics: Insects, Invasive Species
Latest about parasites
Why we need parasites, despite them leeching life from others
An ecologist shares his passion for parasites. From their vital roles in nature, to strange super powers and extraordinarily complex life cycles, parasites are natural wonders worthy of protection.
Parasitic worms cause terrible diseases — could the viruses they carry be to blame?
Roundworms harbor viruses, which could be responsible for these parasites' painful symptoms in humans, scientists theorize.
Parasitic 'horror' wasp that bursts from a fly's abdomen like an 'Alien' xenomorph discovered in Mississippi backyard
Scientists accidentally discover new species of wasp that lays eggs inside living, adult fruit flies, which then burst from the hosts' abdomens while they're still alive.
Genetically engineered 'mind control' parasite could deliver drugs to the brain
Scientists are developing an engineered parasite to get drugs into the brain.
DNA from dozens of human skeletons unravels history of malaria
Malaria is often considered a tropical disease, but data hidden in historical human remains has shed new light on the parasite's world travels.
Parasitic worms infect 6 after bear meat served at family reunion
Parasitic worms infected a family who'd shared a meal that included undercooked bear meat kabobs.
32 diseases you can catch from animals
Humans can catch a huge number of diseases from animals, and these can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites or fungi.
32 scary parasitic diseases
Parasites can cause a wide range of diseases in humans, ranging from short-term to lifelong.
