Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Protozoa in respiratory pathology: a review

Eur Respir J. 2008 Nov;32(5):1354-70.

Protozoa in respiratory pathology: a review

Martínez-Girón R, Esteban JG, Ribas A, Doganci L.

Protozoal Respiratory Pathology Research Unit, Fundación INCLINICA, Anatomical Pathology Service, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain. rmartinezgiron@hotmail.com

Among the micro-organisms that may affect the respiratory apparatus are the protozoa. The diseases they may give rise to constitute a relatively uncommon group of respiratory ailments with, in the majority of cases, an underlying clinical situation corresponding to states of suppressed immunity (AIDS, transplants, malign haemopathies, corticotherapy, etc.). Other factors, such as visits to endemic areas and immigration, also have to be taken into account. In view of the probable increase in the number of cases and the appearance of new emerging diseases, it is the intention of the present work to review the publications available, in different fields of medicine, that refer to the principal kinds of protozoa (Entamoeba, Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Trichomonas, Lophomonas, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, Babesia, Encephalitozoon, Enterocytozoon and Balantidium) and, at the same time, detail and comment on the latest findings on this subject.

PMID: 18978136 [PubMed - in process]

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