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Update on human infections caused by intestinal protozoa
Kristen K Pierce1, Beth D Kirkpatrick
1Department of Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|January 6, 2009
Summary
This review updates on human intestinal protozoa infections, highlighting Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Isospora, Giardia, and Entamoaeba histolytica. Recent research focuses on genetic susceptibility and molecular diagnostics for epidemiology and disease variability.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Intestinal protozoa cause significant global morbidity and mortality.
- These pathogens affect diverse patient populations worldwide.
- Understanding these infections is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an update on recent literature concerning human infections by intestinal protozoa.
- To discuss key pathogens including Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Isospora, Giardia, and Entamoeba histolytica.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications.
- Synthesis of findings on pathogen characteristics and host-pathogen interactions.
Main Results:
- Recent literature highlights Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Isospora, Giardia, and Entamoeba histolytica.
- These protozoa are responsible for substantial diarrheal disease burden globally.
Conclusions:
- Emerging research focuses on host genetic markers influencing susceptibility to protozoan infections.
- Molecular diagnostic techniques are advancing outbreak investigations (molecular epidemiology).
- Molecular methods also aid in understanding clinical disease variability within protozoan species.
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