Infections by protozoa in immunocompromised hosts

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Marcelo Simão Ferreira¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Faculdade de Medicina Disciplina de Doenças Infecciosas e ParasitáriasUberlândia MG ,Brasil

关键词: protozoa;    immunosupression;    acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-Aids;    opportunistic infections;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0074-02762000000700026

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Protozoa are among the most important pathogens that can cause infection in immunocompromised patients. They infect particularly individuals with impaired cell immunity, such as those with hematologic neoplasias, those submitted to transplant of solid organs, those under high-dose corticosteroid therapy, and carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus. Among the protozoa that most commonly cause disease in immunocompromised individuals are Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi, Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis and microsporidia; the former two cause severe encephalitis and myocarditis, and the others cause gastrointestinal infections. Early diagnosis and prompt institution of specific therapy for each of these organisms are basic measures to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with these infections.

【 授权许可】

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