Childhood parasitic infections endemic to the United States

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Apr;60(2):471-85. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2012.12.011. Epub 2013 Jan 18.

Childhood parasitic infections endemic to the United States

Barry MA, Weatherhead JE, Hotez PJ, Woc-Colburn L.

Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; BCM Medical Scientist Training Program, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Endemic parasitic infections in the United States are more frequent than is commonly perceived. Intestinal parasitic infection with Cryptosporidium, Dientamoeba, and Giardia occurs most often in children in northern states during the summer months. Zoonotic Toxocara and Toxoplasma parasitic infections are more frequent in southern states, in African Americans, and in populations with lower socioeconomic status. Approximately 300, 000 people in the United States have Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Local, vector-borne transmission of T cruzi and Leishmania infections has been documented in southern states. Parasitic diseases endemic to the United States are not uncommon but are understudied.

PMID: 23481112 [PubMed - in process]