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Parasitic Infections Parasitic infections, in association with nutritional deficiencies, are the primary cause of death in the world. The majority of more serious infections occur in tropic zones of the earth. However, the populace of the United States is not free of parasitic infections. In the United States, poorer populations are most commonly affected with native-born infections; however, no one is immune. For example, raccoons or possums can use playgrounds as noctural pathways, leaving behind ascarid eggs that can later infect children. The increase in immigration and world travel has complicated regional parasitic infections. Today, it is not unusual for the general medical practitioner to be confronted with an exotic disease. Both domestic and wild animals may act as reservoirs for parasites, and some can transmit infections to humans. A disease caught by a human from an animal is called a zoonosis. Examples of zoonotic diseases include hydatid disease or Toxomplasma gondii. Hydatid disease is caused by larval tapeworms that hatch from eggs ingested from dog feces (handling an infected dog and/or its feces, then touching the mouth). Toxoplasma gondii is normally a parasite of cats and rodents. It can be transmitted to humans, and it is known to cause birth defects. Parasitic infections cause damage by physical trauma. They also cause damage by destroying cells, tissues, or organs by mechanical or chemical means. Parasites also divert the host's nutritive substances. Some parasites also produce toxins that further damage the host. This site focuses primarily on those parasites of interest to humans, either directly or because of economic importance to livestock. The information is divided into these catagories. Enjoy!
Noroviruses
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