Gastrointestinal tract helminthic

Eosinophils are leukocytes that contain characteristic cationic proteins in their granules that bind the acidic dye eosin. In contrast to neutrophils, eosinophils are minority cells in the blood and are predominantly tissue-dwelling cells found at sites in contact with the environment the mucosal surfaces of the lung, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract. Selective accumulation of eosinophils, as opposed to neutrophils, is one of the major pathological features of the inflammatory response to infection with parasitic helminths, and in several diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. A key step in leukocyte recruitment is the local production of chemoattractant molecules that orchestrate the adhesive interactions between leukocytes and the vascular endothelium. 

Parasitic diseases are caused by the invasion of humans and animals by several species of protozoans and helminths. The pathogenic protozoans may invade the blood circulation, liver, spleen, or external organs such as mouth, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. A major population of the helminths,on the other hand, parasitize the gastrointestinal tract while some live in the blood circulation, lymphatics, connective and subcutaneous tissues, eyes, lungs, and liver. Most of the extra-intesti-... 

Helminths constitute a major health problem in humans and domestic animals, especially in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. They are classified in two phyla the flatworms (Platyhelminthes), comprising the flukes (or trematodes) and the tapeworms (or cestode), and the roundworms or nematodes (Nemathelminthes). Most nematodes are not parasitic, but some infect vertebrates by entering the digestive tracts of animals where they develop into adults. Diseases caused by infection are dependent on the residence site of the adult nematode the gastrointestinal tract or body tissues. 

The aminoglycoside paromomycin Humatin) has a mode of action identical to that of the other aminocycli-tols and is directly amebicidal. It is not absorbed from the intestinal tract and thus has its primary effect on bacteria, some amebas (e.g., E. histolytica), and some helminths found in the lumen of the intestinal tract. Side effects are limited to diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. 

Mechanism of Action An anthelmintic agent that inhibits helminth-specific mitochondrial fumarate reductase. Therapeutic Effect Suppresses parasite production. Pharmacokinetics Rapidly and well absorbed from the gastrointestinal (Gl) tract. Rapidly metabolized in liver. Primarily excreted in urine partially eliminated in feces. Half4ife 1 2 hr... 

Infections with helminths, or parasitic worms, affect more than two bilhon people worldwide. Pathogenic worms are classified into roundworms (nematodes) and two types of flatworms, flukes (trematodes) and tapeworms (cestodes). Immature forms invade humans via the skin or gastrointestinal (GI) tract and mature into adult worms with characteristic tissue distributions. With few exceptions, such as Strongyloides and Echinococcus, they cannot complete their life cycle and replicate themselves within the human host. 

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