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Infectious diseases in paediatric pathology: experience from a developing country
Luiz Cesar Peres1, Fabiano Pinto Saggioro, Leonidas Braga Dias
1Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. lcperes@fmrp.usp.br
Pathology
|January 19, 2008
Summary
This review highlights infectious and parasitic diseases prevalent in developing countries, including viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Understanding these diseases is crucial for global health professionals due to increasing human migration and travel.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Tropical Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infectious and parasitic diseases pose global health challenges, often exacerbated by socioeconomic factors.
- Human migration, tourism, and medical procedures increase the spread of diseases beyond their endemic regions.
- These diseases offer valuable insights into human biology, host-pathogen interactions, and immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated overview of infectious and parasitic diseases encountered in developing countries.
- To equip pathologists with knowledge of these diseases for diagnosing unusual cases.
- To emphasize the importance of understanding tropical diseases beyond their diagnostic utility.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on infectious and parasitic diseases from developing countries.
- Compilation of information on viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens.
- Synthesis of data on epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical relevance.
Main Results:
- Detailed information on specific viral diseases like dengue and yellow fever.
- Overview of bacterial infections such as typhoid fever and leprosy.
- Comprehensive data on parasitic infections (Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis, amoebiasis, schistosomiasis, etc.) and fungal infections (paracoccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis).
Conclusions:
- Pathologists must be aware of a wide spectrum of infectious and parasitic diseases, particularly those from developing regions.
- Increased global mobility necessitates broader knowledge of tropical and infectious diseases for effective diagnosis and management.
- Studying these diseases enhances understanding of fundamental biological processes and human pathology.
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