Cuban parasitology in review: a revolutionary triumph.
Although the population of Hispaniola, Cuba's most similar neighbour in the Caribbean, continues to be threatened by parasitic diseases (including malaria), many tropical parasitic infections in Cuba have been eliminated or controlled. However, some parasitic infections remain important in the Cuban population, and the occurrence of vectors and the high possibility of introduction of parasites mean that Cuban diagnosticians must remain alert. Some key aspects of human parasitology in Cuba are reviewed here, including historical information, comparative data from Hispaniola and Jamaica, and how Cuba strives to maintain and improve its control against parasitic infections. Data from recent key novel parasitology research conducted in Cuba are also described.
Rivero
Lázara Rojas
LR
Subdireccción de Parasitología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, Autopista Novia del Mediodia km 61/2, Apartado Postal 601, Marianao 13, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba.
Fernández
Fidel Angel Núñez
FA
Robertson
Lucy J
LJ
D000818:Animals; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D003906:Developing Countries; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009313:National Health Programs; D012950:Socialism