[Current questions in parasitology and infection prevention]

Topical treatment of cutaneous larva migrans with thiabendazole and cambendazole is briefly described. AIDS has focused attention on the coccidial parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Isospora belli because they can be responsible for severe chronic enteritis in immunodeficient patients. The species formerly known as Isospora hominis--after detection of its life cycle--has now been correctly named Sarcocystis bovihominis and S. suihominis, respectively. In future, patients harbouring commensal strains of Entamoeba histolytica can be left untreated, since pathogenic strains can now be identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The geographic distribution of malaria risk and drug resistance, side effects of antimalarials and recommendations for prophylaxis are discussed more extensively.