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Rationale Approaches to Treating Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Giardia and Entamoeba

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The Pathogenic Enteric Protozoa: Giardia, Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora

Part of the book series: World Class Parasites ((WCPA,volume 8))

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Abstract

Treatment options for diarreal illness caused by intestinal protozoa differ depending on the particular protozoa. Cryptosporidium parvum, an important parasite among the immunocompromised and young children of developing nations remains refractory to all conventional therapies. Cyclospora cayetanensis, an emerging pathogen can be treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, however the discovery of alternative treatments remains hampered by the inability to cultivate the parasite or establish an animal model. Despite being a frequent cause of diarrheal illness throughout the world, relatively few agents outside of metronidazole are used in therapy against Giardia lamblia. While metronidazole is the agent of choice for the treatment of most amoebic infections, proper diagnosis is important to distinguish between pathogenic and non-pathogenic Entamoeba species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30033

    Jan R. Mead

  2. Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Houston, TX, 77030

    Pablo Okhuysen

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  1. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

    Charles R. Sterling  & Rodney D. Adam  & 

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Mead, J.R., Okhuysen, P. (2004). Rationale Approaches to Treating Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Giardia and Entamoeba. In: Sterling, C.R., Adam, R.D. (eds) The Pathogenic Enteric Protozoa: Giardia, Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora. World Class Parasites, vol 8. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-7878-1_8

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