title: Gastrointestinal parasite infestation.
abstract: Twenty-five percent of the world's population could be suffering parasitic infestation. Highest prevalence is in underdeveloped agricultural and rural areas in the tropical and subtropical regions. In some areas incidence may reach 90% of the population. In contrast, some major economic projects intended to promote local development have, paradoxically, caused parasitic proliferation, e.g. bilharziasis in Egypt and Sudan and Chagas disease in Brazil. The commonest cosmopolitan gastrointestinal parasite is Entamoeba histolytica. Some intestinal parasite are endemic in temperate climates, e.g. Entrobius vermicularis. The AIDS epidemic has increased the prevalence and severity of parasitic disease, particularly Strongyloides stercolaris. Tropical parasites are seen in Western people who travel to tropical countries. Radiology has acquired a major role in diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal parasite infestations and their complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Armed Forces Hospital, 11159 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. drm_bagi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mohamed E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Abd El Bagi
authors.forename: Bassam M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Sammak
authors.forename: Abdulrahman E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al Karawi
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Shahed
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al Thagafi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002590:Cestode Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D014463:Ultrasonography