Parasitic Diseases
20 Articles & Excerpts
Guide to Parasitic Roundworm Diseases
by National Institute of Health
A parasite is an organism that exists by depending on another organism. Parasites that infect humans are much more widespread than many of us realize. These diseases affect not only poverty-stricken peoples in remote areas of the world.
Detection of Antibodies
by CDC
Diagnosis of parasitic infections is definitively made by identification of parasites in host tissue or excreta. Such identification is not generally possible in diseases such as toxoplasmosis or toxocariasis, in which parasites are located in deep
Schistosomiasis
by CDC
What is schistosomiasis? Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia (bill-HAR-zi-a), is a disease caused by parasitic worms. Infection with Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, and S. japonicum causes illness in humans.
Acanthamoeba Infection
by CDC
Acanthamoeba are microscopic ameba commonly found in the environment. Several species of Acanthamoeba have been found to infect humans, A. culbertsoni, A. polyphaga, A. castellanii, A. healyi, (A. astronyxis), A. hatchetti, A. rhysodes, and possibly other
Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases
by CDC
How are parasitic diseases diagnosed? Many kinds of lab tests are available to diagnose parasitic diseases. The kind of test(s) your health care provider will order will be based on your signs and symptoms, any other medical conditions you may have
Cyclospora Infection
by CDC
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a unicellular parasite previously known as cyanobacterium-like or coccidia-like body (CLB). The first known human cases of illness caused by Cyclospora infection (i.e., cyclosporiasis) were reported in the medical literature
Toxoplasmosis
by CDC
A single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii causes a disease known as toxoplasmosis. While the parasite is found throughout the world, more than 60 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite.
Swimmer's Itch
by CDC
Swimmer's itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain parasites found in certain birds and mammals . These microscopic parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water
West African Trypanosomiasis
by CDC
What is African trypanosomiasis? There are two types of African trypanosomiasis (also called sleeping sickness); each named for the region of Africa in which it is found. Individuals can become infected with West African trypanosomiasis
Angiostrongylus Cantonensis Infection
by CDC
It is a parasite, a worm, of rats. Infected rats pass immature forms of the worm in their feces. Snails and slugs get infected by eating infected rat feces. The young forms of the parasite mature in snails and slugs but do not become adult worms.
Cyclospora Infection or Cyclosporiasis
by CDC
What is cyclosporiasis? Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite composed of one cell, too small to be seen without a microscope. The first known human cases of illness caused by Cyclospora infection (that is, cyclosporiasis) were reported in 1979.
Blastocystis hominis Infection
by CDC
What is Blastocystis hominis? Blastocystis hominis is a common microscopic parasitic organism found throughout the world. Infection with Blastocystis hominis is called blastocystosis. What are the symptoms of infection with Blastocystis?
Trichomonas Infection
by CDC
Trichomonas vaginalis is a microscopic parasite found worldwide. Infection with Trichomonas is called trichomoniasis (trick-oh-moe-nye-uh-sis). Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, mainly affecting sexually active women.
Baylisascaris Infection
by CDC
Baylisascaris, an intestinal raccoon roundworm, can infect a variety of other animals, including humans. The worms develop to maturity in the raccoon intestine, where they produce millions of eggs that are passed in the feces.
Cysticercosis
by CDC
Cysticercosis is an infection caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysticerci (cysts). When cysticerci are found in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis.
Pinworm Infection
by CDC
What is pinworm infection? This infection is caused by a small, white intestinal worm called Enterobius vermicularis. Pinworms are about the length of a staple and live in the rectum of humans.
Trichinellosis
by CDC
Trichinellosis, also called trichinosis, is caused by eating raw or undercooked meat of animals infected with the larvae of a species of worm called Trichinella. Infection occurs commonly in certain wild carnivorous (meat-eating) animals
Cryptosporidium Infection Cryptosporidiosis
by CDC
Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium. Once an animal or person is infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool.
Preventing Cryptosporidiosis
by CDC
Examples of persons with weakened immune systems include those with AIDS; cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs; and those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system.
Chagas Disease
by CDC
Also called American trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease is an infection caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Worldwide, it is estimated that 16 to 18 million people are infected with Chagas disease; of those infected, 50,000 will die each year.
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