Science of Parasitology.

Parasitology is the study of parasites and the relationship between parasites and host organisms. The primary interest in parasitology is to investigate the role of parasites in diseases that affect humans, livestock, and pets. Parasitologists work closely with medical professionals and pharmacologists to develop drugs that combat parasitic infections. Parasitology became a distinct branch of medicine and biology in the mid-nineteenth century after the development of microscope technology. Although medical parasitology dominates the field, some ecologists and zoologists study parasites to learn more about the role parasitism plays in evolution and ecology.