An overview of parasitic infections of the gastro-intestinal tract in developed countries affecting immunocompromised individuals

Abstract

In both developed and developing countries, parasitic infections continue to be a frequent cause of mortality and morbidity. Due to the globalization of the world, doctors must be fully prepared to deal with a plethora of parasitic infections. More commonly the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is infected and in developed countries protozoans are more likely to be the cause of infection compared to helminths. These GI protozoa are progressively becoming recognized as important pathogens in patients that are immunocompromised. The number of immunocompromised patients is increasing and therefore the likelihood of similar infections will also increase. This paper aims to highlight the key GI parasites affecting immunocompromised individuals in developed countries, discussing diagnosis, treatment options and also prevention. may be the most common GI parasite found in the immunocompromised host closely followed by Cyclospora, however, is the most common GI parasite found in developed countries. The pathogenesis of parasitic infection is not clear, poorly understood and diagnostic testing remains difficult with management continuing to be a challenge.

New insights into the detection and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium with emphasis in Brazilian studies: a review

“…infection may be asymptomatic, with mild clinical signs in the form of spontaneous diarrhea, or more severe symptoms with approximately 20 evacuations a day. The most serious clinical conditions are seen in immunocompromised individuals, including patients with immunological deficiencies related to malnutrition, patients undergoing chemotherapy, HIV-AIDS patients and transplant recipient patients 34 , 35 . In healthy individuals, the incidence of cryptosporidium infections is higher in children and in the elderly due to the natural immunocompromising that exists in these age groups.…”

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. obtained from fecal samples of immunosuppressed patients from Brazil

“…This parasite plays an essential role in the development of diseases in the elderly, children, and immunosuppressed individuals, such as patients infected with HIV, as well as those undergoing cancer therapy and transplantation 6 , 7 . In the transplantation group, immunosuppressive drugs induced a decrease in immunity, especially in the first three months post-transplantation 8 .…”

Prevalence, risk factors, challenges, and the currently available diagnostic tools for the determination of helminths infections in human

“…2 Most of the infected children may carry different types of parasites that can live throughout the body and may infect the gastro-intestinal tract. 3 Adult worms lay eggs, the larvae hatched, grow, and developed into adult worm inside human body. 4 Taenia saginata (Tap worm), Enterobius vermicularis (Pin worm) and Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm), Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworms), Necator americanus (Hookworms), and Ancyclostoma duodenale are among the most common helminths, each parasitizing hundreds of millions of people.…”