An engrossing popular-science read on a topic people are particularly squeamish about, seen from the viewpoint of many scientific and other disciplines.
Other
Lice, pinworms, roundworms, toxoplasma? A book about one of nature’s favourite lifestyles and means of survival: parasitism. Who is lurking in the host’s body – i.e. your body – and in your pet’s body and the bodies of the animals you eat? Are you afraid? This book presents various parasites from many perspectives: medical, veterinary, biological, historical and even artistic. It shows the benefit and harm they represent. This entertaining and educational book has been written in a clear and humorous way by leading Czech parasitologists.
About the authors:
Jan Votýpka (1972) is a parasitologist who specializes in research into parasites and other pathogens transmitted by bloodsucking insects. He has also examined the biodiversity of parasites in a variety of locations in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East. The synergy of his teaching and research work led him to popularizing science. As a result, he has taken an active role in popularizing biology and is the co-organizer of the Biological Olympics – a competition organised by the Ministry of Education.
Petr Horák (1965) is parasitologist who specializes in the functional morphology, systematics and life cycle of helminths. He contributed towards the discovery of a new European neuropathogenic schistosoma, which is now being intensively studied as a model organism.
Iva Kolářová (1978) is a parasitologist. She studied parasitology at Charles University, where she currently works as a lecturer specializing in the medical entomology and immunology of parasitic infections.