Protozoan parasites that infect the gastrointestinal tract.
Protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract include the deadly parasite Entamoeba histolytica;Giardia lamblia, the most common cause of waterborne disease outbreaks; and the large group of spore-forming parasites that share a green algae symbiont and a predilection for causing chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised persons. Some recent advances in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of the diseases caused by these protozoa are discussed in this review.
Petri
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Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.