Definition
Human intestinal parasites can be classified into four different groups: the protozoa and the nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flukes). Many of these organisms pass cysts or eggs in the feces, which forms the basis for diagnostic tests. About 12 protozoan species and at least 15 helminthic species can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) pathology, representing a significant disease burden worldwide. In the past, these infections were mainly seen in developing countries. This geographic pattern is quickly changing under the influence of increasing world travel, globalized economy, and the growing number of chronically immunosuppressed patients in western countries. With helminthic infections, the additional problems arise that some worms can survive in the host for decades and that infection may remain asymptomatic until complications develop (e.g., occult Strongyloides stercoralisinfection until treatment with glucocorticoids causes fulminant...
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References and Further Reading
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De Hertogh, G. (2017). Parasitic Colitis. In: Carneiro, F., Chaves, P., Ensari, A. (eds) Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Encyclopedia of Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40560-5_1437
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40560-5_1437
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