Medical Parasitology: A Self-Instructional text

Since the publication of the first edition of this text in1979, various phenomena have increased the incidence of parasitic diseases among North Americans. Increased world travel by U.S. residents and the influx of immigrants from underdeveloped regions have brought increasing numbers of once seldom-encountered parasites to this country. Shifts in sexual behaviors in our
society have altered the traditionally accepted epidemiology of infections such as giardiases and amebiasis. In addition, individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have contracted infections caused by previously rare opportunistic parasites and have suffered more severe symptoms from infections caused by usually less virulent organisms. Such situations lend an increased urgency to correctly diagnose and treat parasitic diseases by U.S. physicians and to detect these diseases by laboratory technologists. On a global basis, parasitic infections remain a most serious consideration.
They affect the morbidity and mortality levels in every nation, affecting countries with tropical and temperate climates very significantly. We believe, therefore, that now more than ever, all health professionals need a fundamental understanding of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of parasitic diseases. We have approached our revision with this belief in mind. Medical Parasitology is designed to provide the reader with a concise, systematic introduction to the biology and epidemiology of human parasitic diseases. The text is supported throughout by an array of carefully coordinated graphics. Many of the changes incorporated in this revision are based on responses from surveys of the users of the previous editions. The presentation of the symptomatology, pathology, and treatment of each parasitic disease has been expanded.