Skip to main content

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infection can affect the health of children long term malnutrition, growth delay, and increased mortality, especially in developing countries and with immune suppression. The most common parasites that cause diarrhea are protozoa, especially Giardia, Cryptosporidia, and Cyclospora. Helminth infections can cause a variety of syndromes including abdominal pain, diarrhea, biliary obstruction, as well as pulmonary and cutaneous manifestations. It is important to recognize if hyperinfection syndrome is due to Strongyloides, which is often fatal if not recognized and treated promptly. Prevention of infections with good sanitation and clean water is important.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Yoder JS, Gargano JW, Wallace RM, Beach MJ, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Giardiasis surveillance–United States, 2009–2010. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2012;61(5):13–23.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ross AG, Olds GR, Cripps AW, Farrar JJ, McManus DP. Enteropathogens and chronic illness in returning travelers. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(19):1817–25.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Cotton JA, Beatty JK, Buret AG. Host parasite interactions and pathophysiology in Giardia infections. Int J Parasitol. 2011;41(9):925–33.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Muhsen K, Levine MM. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between Giardia lamblia and endemic pediatric diarrhea in developing countries. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;55(Suppl 4):S271–93.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Fuentebella J, Fridge JL, Bass DM. Enteric Parasites. Pediatr Gastrointest Liv Dis. 2011:423–34.

    Google Scholar 

  6. McHardy IH, Wu M, Shimizu-Cohen R, Couturier MR, Humphries RM. Clinical laboratory diagnosis of intestinal protozoa. J Clin Microbiol. 2014 Mar;52(3):712–20.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Gardner TB, Hill DR. Treatment of giardiasis. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2001;14(1):114–28.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Hanevik K, Dizdar V, Langeland N, Hausken T. Development of functional gastrointestinal disorders after Giardia lamblia infection. BMC Gastroenterol. 2009;9:27.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Salit IE, Khairnar K, Gough K, Pillai DR. A possible cluster of sexually transmitted Entamoeba histolytica: genetic analysis of a highly virulent strain. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;49(3):346–53.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Marie C, Petri WA. Amoebic dysentery. Clin Evid (Online). BMJ Clin Evid. 2013 Aug 30;2013. pii: 0918. PMID 23991750.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Centers for Disease Control (cdc). Division of parasitic diseases and malaria website. 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/index.html. Accessed 1 Sept 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  12. DPDx - Laboratory Identification of Parasitic Diseases of Public Health Concern. Centers for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/dpdx. Accessed 1 Sept 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Haque R, Huston CD, Hughes M, Houpt E, Petri WA. Amebiasis. N Engl J Med. 2003;348(16):1565–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Barratt JL, Harkness J, Marriott D, Ellis JT, Stark D. A review of Dientamoeba fragilis carriage in humans: several reasons why this organism should be considered in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal illness. Gut Microbes. 2011;2(1):3–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Barry MA, Weatherhead JE, Hotez PJ, Woc-Colburn L. Childhood parasitic infections endemic to the United States. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013;60(2):471–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Tan KS. New insights on classification, identification, and clinical relevance of Blastocystis spp. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2008;21(4):639–65.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Kotloff KL, Nataro JP, Blackwelder WC, Nasrin D, Farag TH, Panchalingam S, et al. Burden and aetiology of diarrhoeal disease in infants and young children in developing countries (the Global Enteric Multicenter Study, GEMS): a prospective, case-control study. Lancet. 2013;382(9888):209–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Wright SG. Protozoan infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2012;26(2):323–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Jokipii L, Jokipii AM. Timing of symptoms and oocyst excretion in human cryptosporidiosis. N Engl J Med. 1986;315(26):1643–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Gross TL, Wheat J, Bartlett M, O’Connor KW. AIDS and multiple system involvement with cryptosporidium. Am J Gastroenterol. 1986;81(6):456–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Chen XM, LaRusso NF. Human intestinal and biliary cryptosporidiosis. World J Gastroenterol. 1999;5(5):424–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Amadi B, Mwiya M, Musuku J, Watuka A, Sianongo S, Ayoub A, et al. Effect of nitazoxanide on morbidity and mortality in Zambian children with cryptosporidiosis: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2002;360(9343):1375–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Ortega YR, Sanchez R. Update on Cyclospora cayetanensis, a food-borne and waterborne parasite. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2010;23(1):218–34.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Johnson AC, Greenwood-Van Meerveld B, McRorie J. Effects of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 on post-inflammatory visceral hypersensitivity in the rat. Dig Dis Sci. 2011;56(11):3179–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. desVignes-Kendrick M. Notes from the field: outbreaks of Cyclosporiasis—United States, June–August 2013. 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6243a5.htm. Accessed 1 Sept 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Ud Din N, Torka P, Hutchison RE, Riddell SW, Wright J, Gajra A. Severe Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli diarrhea preceding the diagnosis of human T-cell-leukemia-virus-1-associated T-cell lymphoma. Case Rep Infec Dis. 2012;2012:640104.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Goodgame RW. Understanding intestinal spore-forming protozoa: cryptosporidia, microsporidia, isospora, and cyclospora. Ann Intern Med. 1996;124(4):429–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Haswell-Elkins M, Elkins D, Anderson RM. The influence of individual, social group and household factors on the distribution of Ascaris lumbricoides within a community and implications for control strategies. Parasitology. 1989;98(Pt 1):125–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Jardim-Botelho A, Brooker S, Geiger SM, Fleming F, Souza Lopes AC, Diemert DJ, et al. Age patterns in undernutrition and helminth infection in a rural area of Brazil: associations with ascariasis and hookworm. Trop Med Int Health. 2008;13(4):458–67.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Khuroo MS. Ascariasis. Gastroenterol Clin N. 1996;25(3):553–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Posey DL, Blackburn BG, Weinberg M, Flagg EW, Ortega L, Wilson M, et al. High prevalence and presumptive treatment of schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis among African refugees. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;45(10):1310–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Hotez PJ. Hookworms ( Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp.). In: Kliegman RM, Stanton B, St. Geme J, Schor N, Behrman RE, editors. Nelson textbook of pediatrics. 19th ed. Saunders, an Imprint of Elsevier Inc.: Philadelphia, PA; 2011. pp. 1218–21, e2.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Buonfrate D, Requena-Mendez A, Angheben A, Muñoz J, Gobbi F, Van Den Ende J, et al. Severe strongyloidiasis: a systematic review of case reports. BMC Infect Dis. 2013;13:78.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Goka AK, Rolston DD, Mathan VI, Farthing MJ. Diagnosis of Strongyloides and hookworm infections: comparison of faecal and duodenal fluid microscopy. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1990;84(6):829–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Barry MA, Simon GG, Mistry N, Hotez PJ. Global trends in neglected tropical disease control and elimination: impact on child health. Arch Dis Child. 2013;98(8):635–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Hotez PJ, Pritchard DI. Hookworm infection. Sci Am. 1995;272(6):68–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Baltz JG, Mishra R, Yeaton P. Unusual case of hookworm presenting as acute surgical abdomen. Am J Med. 2009;122(2):e3–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Keiser J, Utzinger J. Efficacy of current drugs against soil-transmitted helminth infections: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2008;299(16):1937–48.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Bundy DA. Epidemiological aspects of Trichuris and trichuriasis in Caribbean communities. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1986;80(5):706–18.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Bundy DA, de Silva NR. Can we deworm this wormy world? Br Med Bull. 1998;54(2):421–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Grencis RK, Cooper ES. Enterobius, trichuris, capillaria, and hookworm including Ancylostoma caninum. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 1996;25(3):579–97.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Harhay MO, Horton J, Olliaro PL. Epidemiology and control of human gastrointestinal parasites in children. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2010;8(2):219–34.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Flores EC, Plumb SC, McNeese MC. Intestinal parasitosis in an urban pediatric clinic population. Am J Dis Child. 1983;137(8):754–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christina M. Surawicz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Herman, M., Surawicz, C. (2016). Intestinal Parasites. In: Guandalini, S., Dhawan, A., Branski, D. (eds) Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17169-2_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17169-2_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-17168-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-17169-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics