intermediate host

host (hōst)

1. an organism that harbors or nourishes another organism (the parasite).

2. the recipient of an organ or other tissue derived from another organism (the donor).

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accidental host  one that accidentally harbors an organism that is not ordinarily parasitic in the particular species.

definitive host , final host the organism in which a parasite passes its adult and sexual existence.

intermediate host  the organism in which a parasite passes its larval or nonsexual existence.

paratenic host  an animal acting as a substitute intermediate host of a parasite, usually having acquired the parasite by ingestion of the original host.

primary host  definitive h.

reservoir host  reservoir (3).

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intermediate host

n.

A host in which a parasite goes through its larval or developmental stages.

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intermediate host,

any animal in which the larval or intermediate stage of a parasite develops but does not sexually reproduce. Certain snails are intermediate hosts for liver flukes and schistosomes. Humans are intermediate hosts for malaria parasites. Also called secondary host. Compare dead-end host, definitive host, reservoir host. See also host .

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intermediate

1. between; intervening; resembling, in part, each of two extremes.

2. a substance formed in a chemical process that is essential to formation of the end-product of the process.

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intermediate cell mass

see nephrotome.

intermediate filaments

intracellular protein fibers which are part of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells.

intermediate host

especially in parasitology, a host in which the parasite undergoes a stage, usually the larval or nonsexual stage, in its development. The host may be an insect vector which also acts as the transmitting medium, or another insect or animal species which is a passive enhancer, the infection being spread by other means.

intermediate junction

see zonula adherens.

intermediate mesoderm

mesoderm located just lateral to the somites, uniting the paraxial and lateral plate mesoderm.

intermediate sheep footrot

less underrunning of horn and less likelihood of resulting in chronic lesions than in virulent footrot.