[General review of parasitoses involving the maxillofacial region]

All the parasitic diseases which may affect the face and the mouth are reviewed. Protozoan and helminths infections are described as well as arthropod bites and envenomation by other animals. Protozoan infections of interest to the oral and maxillofacial specialist are leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, cutaneous amebiasis, and toxoplasmosis. Helminth infections are due to nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes. Nematoda (true roundworm) infections include ankylostomiasis, strongyloidiasis, gnathostomiasis, gongylonemiasis, trichinosis, dracunculosis, loaiasis, filariasis, dirofilariasis, and onchocerciasis. Only schistosomiasis has to be considered in Trematoda (flukes) infections. Cestoda (tapeworms) infections are cysticercosis, equinococcosis, and sparganosis. Finally, episodic bites and stings to the face, by arthropods (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, etc.) and many other venomous animals are also possible.