pääisäntäeläimen
Pääisäntäeläin is a Finnish term that translates to "definitive host" or "primary host" in English, particularly in the context of parasitology. It refers to the host organism in which a parasite reaches its adult stage and, if applicable, reproduces sexually. This is in contrast to intermediate hosts, where the parasite may undergo larval development or asexual reproduction but does not reach sexual maturity.
The life cycle of many parasites involves multiple host species. The pääisäntäeläin is the crucial host for
Understanding the pääisäntäeläin is vital for controlling parasitic diseases. By targeting the definitive host, for instance