I, Parasite

The term "parasite" does not evoke positive emotions in anyone. Parasites are those who live at the expense of others, whether referring to humans or pathogenic organisms. Nevertheless, the very existence of parasites stirs our imagination: we are struck by their ability to adapt to changing external conditions, their complex life cycle, and their "modus operandi," which has no analogs in the animal world.

This book explains, in the most accessible language and using numerous examples, what the science of parasitology is about. The author introduces the reader to the vast diversity of parasitic species, explains the principles on which their survival strategy is built, the consequences of "cohabitation" with them for the host organism, how their reproduction occurs, and even... what advantages the host can sometimes gain from being chosen and used as their food base by a parasite.

We should be grateful to parasites: they played a direct role in human evolution and made an invaluable contribution to the formation of our species, claims Pierre Kerner.