Musculoskeletal syndromes in parasitic diseases

Parasitic infestation can induce a variety of rheumatic syndromes as a result of infiltration of musculoskeletal structures by parasites or an immune mediated mechanism. Parasite-induced symptoms should be considered when arthritis, enthesitis, myositis, or vasculitis develop in patients residing in endemic areas and in certain subsets of the population of developed countries, for example, migrants, travelers, and immunocompromised individuals. Diagnosis is based on the demonstration of infection with a pathogenic parasite, lack of response to anti-inflammatory agents, and improvement following antiparasitic therapy. Treatment consists of erradication of the parasite.