Parasitic diarrhea in normal and malnourished children.
Diarrhea is only one of the many manifestations of intestinal parasites. Environmental influences are inescapable, regardless of an individual's state of health: in a highly endemic region, intestinal parasitic colonization is almost the rule. The clinical expression of the parasitoses, however, is largely determined by host defenses; and when they are weakened, parasitic diarrhea is frequent and severe. Protein-energy malnutrition is by far the most important cause of immune deficiency in developing countries. Diarrhea caused by Strongyloides or Giardia is common and severe in malnourished children, while well-nourished children remain healthy carriers. These parasites require specific treatment in the malnourished; and the well-nourished should have preventive treatment when they are to receive corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents. Diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium spp. may be severe in malnourished or immunodeficient children, and recovery is achieved only after renutrition or treatment of the immunodeficiency.
Gendrel
D
D
St Vincent de Paul Hospital, Paris, France Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, CHR, Tours.
Treluyer
J M
JM
Richard-Lenoble
D
D
D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000980:Antiplatyhelmintic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D000980:Antiplatyhelmintic Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents