Parasitic diseases epidemiology

The use of natural products in the treatment and control of human parasitic diseases is referred in the texts of traditional systems of medicine. Ancient medical practioners of traditional remedies in China, India, Egypt, the Middle East and Europe knew several plants having activity against various diseases caused verv likely by protozoans, though the etiology and epidemiology of such diseases were not well defined in those days. Many of these remedies are still used, particularly in countries where traditional systems of medicine are a part of the health care systems. In India it is believed that 50-75% of the population uses traditional drugs Irecause of their lower cost, easy access and faith in them [1]. 

Benchimol-Barbosa PR (2009) Further comments on oral transmission of Chagas disease in Brazil epidemiology, geographical distribution and viability of the infective parasite. Int J Cardiol 8. doi 10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.11.124... 

Human Genetic Diversity and the Epidemiology of Parasitic and Other Transmissible Diseases Michel Tibayrenc... 

There is an epidemic of immune-mediated disease in highly-developed industrialized countries. Such diseases, like inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and asthma increase in prevalence as populations adopt modem hygienic practices. These practices prevent exposure to parasitic worms (helminths). Epidemiologic studies surest that people who carry helminths have less immune-mediated disease. Mice colonized with helminths are protected from disease in models of cohtis, encephalitis. Type 1 diabetes and asthma. Clinical trials show that exposure to helminths reduce disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn s disease. This chapter reviews some of the work showing that colonization with helminths alters immune responses, against dysregulated inflammation. These helminth-host immune interactions have potentially important implications for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases. 

Niemand J, Louw Al, Birkholtz L, Kirk K (2012) Polyamine uptake by the intraerythrocytic malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Int J Parasitol 42(10) 921-929 Nunes MC, Dones W, Morillo CA, Encina JJ, Ribeiro AL (2013) Chagas disease an overview of clinical and epidemiological aspects. J Am CoU Cardiol 62(9) 767-776 Oza SL, Tetaud E, Ariyanayagam MR, Warnon SS, Fairlamb AH (2002) A single enzyme catalyses formation of trypanothione from glutathione and spermidine in Trypanosoma cruzi. J Biol Chem 277 35853-35861... 

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