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Gastrointestinal parasites in the immunocompromised.
Penny Lewthwaite1, Geoffrey V Gill, C Anthony Hart
1Infectious Disease Unit, North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|September 9, 2005
Summary
Parasitic infections significantly impact immunocompromised individuals, particularly in resource-poor areas. Further research is crucial for developing diagnostics and understanding host-parasite interactions for better management.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to gastrointestinal parasitic infections.
- Existing reviews often overlook the specific impact of parasites on this population.
- Parasitic infections pose a significant health challenge, especially in resource-limited settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding parasitic infections in the immunocompromised.
- To cover taxonomy, diagnosis, and treatment of key protozoan and helminthic pathogens.
- To discuss emerging concepts in host-parasite immunological interactions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advances in parasitic infections.
- Examination of protozoa (Cryptosporidia, Cyclospora, Isospora, Microsporidia) and helminths (hookworm, strongyloidiasis, schistosomiasis).
- Discussion of host immune system interactions and novel therapeutic concepts.
Main Results:
- Recent advances in taxonomy, diagnosis, and treatment of Cryptosporidia, Cyclospora, Isospora, and Microsporidia.
- Exploration of potential links between amoebiasis and HIV.
- Increased attention to helminth infections (hookworm, strongyloidiasis, schistosomiasis) and their complex immune interactions.
- Introduction of the concept of using helminths to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
Conclusions:
- Parasitic infections remain a major concern for the immunocompromised, especially in resource-poor settings.
- Development of accessible diagnostics and improved management strategies are needed.
- Further epidemiological and clinical data are required to understand complex helminth-host immunological interactions.