Keywords

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Parasitic disease is a type of infectious disease caused by parasites in human body such as protozoa, worms, arthropod, annelida and mollusc. Parasitic disease prevails in warm and humid areas of tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. Particularly in developing countries, the prevalence of parasitic disease constitutes a threat to human life and health. Among the 10 globally important tropical diseases in the Special Program for Tropical Diseases jointly enacted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), seven are parasitic diseases, including malaria, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, leishmaniasis, African trypanosomiasis and chagas disease.

Parasitic disease is a public health issue across the world. In some developed countries, some parasitic diseases also prevail. In China, the large area is geographically across the frigid, temperate and tropical zones, with greatly diverse natural conditions. In the National Guideline for Agricultural Development (1956–1967), five major parasitic diseases were proposed to be eliminated, including schistosomiasis, malaria, filariasis, black fever and ancylostomiasis, with death in thousands of people. After the foundation of People’s Republic of China in 1949, the government of China has achieved great success in controlling the prevalence of parasitic diseases. Currently, parasitic disease is still prevalent and threats to human health. With the social development, the environment and life style have been changing accordingly. In addition to improved traffic conditions and increased personnel mobility, the prevalence of parasitic disease shows according changes. Furthermore, due to increased organ transplantation, increased occurrence of cancer and AIDS as well as increased use of immunosuppressor, the population with immunodeficiency or compromised immunity is increasingly large. Therefore, opportunistic parasites are increasingly important pathogens. The asymptomatic infections caused by such opportunistic parasites as toxoplasma gondii, cryptozoite, isopsoriasis, cyclospora and strongyloides stercoralis see increasing occurrence.

The changes of natural conditions also contribute to the distribution and prevalence of some parasites. Due to the greenhouse effect and the subsequently increased global temperature, the areas with anopheles and other vector insects are enlarging. It has been speculated that the prevalence of schistosomiasis, trypanosomosis, dengue and yellow fever would exacerbate. The more patients with parasitic disease present challenges to the clinicians. During clinical management of parasitic disease, accurate diagnosis is of great importance and the first step to relieve the sufferings. The compiling of this book is intended to facilitate the accurate diagnosis of parasitic disease and thus to provide basis for treating the diseases.