The element is a clause if there is a subject and a verb, and it is a phrase if both of these parts of speech are not present. What comes after the introductory element is always an independent clause, or complete sentence, on its own, and the introductory element gives meaning to it.
A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. There are three main classes of parasites that can cause disease in humans: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites.
Intestinal parasites are a diverse group of microorganisms that include single-celled protozoans and multi-cellular intestinal worms, called helminthes, that affect the gastro-intestinal tract of humans and other animals.