title: [Helminthic infections of the tropics: parasitology and therapy (author's transl)].
abstract: The significance of tropical heminthiases for the populations of tropical countries is discussed and a survey on the incidence of these parasitic infections is given. The difference between infection and disease is explained, and the properties of an ideal drug for combatting the different diseases are described. After a short comment on the goals of the primary and secondary screening procedures the authors refer to WHO's Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. As to the different forms of filariasis, the most important problem is onchocerciasis due to the high rate of blindness. The existing drugs (suramin DEC) are evaluated, however, there is a need for a safe, macrofilaricidal drug. The chemotherapy of filariasis caused by W. bancrofti and B. malayi and the drugs used is also discussed. Thereafter, a survey on the chemotherapy of schistosomiasis and the drugs at hand and in development is given with special reference to praziquantel. Chemotherapy of opistorchiasis and clonorchiasis is still unsatisfactory. The problems arising from this situation are mentioned. Up to now, we have a similar situation in hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus species. The therapy of choice is operation, however, in animal experiments it could be demonstrated that benzimidazole derivatives inhibit the growth of cysts what indicates the possibility of chemotherapy in man also. Finally, a survey is given on anthelminthic drugs for the therapy of different forms of intestinal helminthiasis with special regard to ancylostomiasis.
mesh_terms: D000724:Ancylostomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003003:Clonorchiasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005368:Filariasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics
vernacular_title: Parasitologie und Therapie tropischer Wurminfektionen.