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Coccidia Other Than Cryptosporidia Cyclospora, Cystoisospora, and Sarcocystis are coccidian parasites belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa, family Eimeriidae. Coccidian protozoan infections are well recognized but still relatively uncommon causes of diarrheal disease. Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclospora cayetanensis, two of the…
Protozoan parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium were first identified in the stomach of mice in 1907. The species name Cryptosporidium parvum was proposed in 1912 to describe parasites identified in murine intestines. Although Cryptosporidium was linked to gastrointestinal disease in…
The first recorded mention of babesiosis is believed to date to biblical times. In the Book of Exodus, the fifth plague is described as “very grievous murrain” that fell “upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses,…
Trichomonas vaginalis is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, a common cause of vaginitis. In men, it may cause urethritis but is more commonly asymptomatic. Despite being a readily diagnosed and treatable sexually transmitted disease (STD), trichomoniasis is not a reportable…
Description of the Pathogen Giardia was probably described in the late 1600s, when van Leeuwenhoek likely discovered it in his own stool. It was in the early 1900s that the parasite received the genus name Giardia. The designated species name…
Although Toxoplasma gondii infects a large proportion of the world's human population, it is an uncommon cause of disease. Certain individuals, however, are at high risk for severe or life-threatening disease because of this parasite. These include congenitally infected fetuses…
Parasites and Their Transmission The agents of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT, sleeping sickness) are flagellated protozoan parasites that belong to the genus Trypanosoma, subgenus Trypanozoon . A general description of the members of this genus and specific characteristics of the…
The protozoan genus Trypanosoma consists of several dozen species. Two of the three species that infect humans are pathogenic, and several other species cause severe and economically important diseases in domestic mammals. Broadly defined, the organisms belonging to this genus…
Overview and General Principles Leishmaniasis refers to a diverse spectrum of clinical syndromes caused by infection with protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania transmitted by the bite of a phlebotomine sand fly. Leishmaniasis can be separated geographically into Old World…
Revised June 24, 2020 The Malaria Problem Malaria remains an overwhelming problem in tropical developing countries, accounting for an estimated 216 million cases and 445,000 deaths in 2016. Nearly 40% of the world's population is at risk for acquiring malaria.…