Protozoan parasites that infect the gastrointestinal tract

摘要

Protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract include the deadly parasiteEntamoeba 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.