Nematode infections characteristics

Characteristics and therapy for commonly encountered nematode infections. 

Three major groups of helminths (or worms), the nematodes, trema-todes and cestodes, infect humans. As in all antibiotic regimens, the anthelminthic drugs (Figure 36.1) are aimed at metabolic targets that are present in the parasite but are either absent from or have different characteristics than those of the host. Figure 36.2 illustrates the high incidence of helminthic infections. 

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. 

---