Imaging of parasitic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

There is increasing public concern (Gittleman 2001) and an increase in the worldwide prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) due to bidirectional transcontinental traveling. Some may harbor parasites within their bodies and thereby spread the disease to new habitats. Others may acquire parasitic disease when they visit endemic areas for the first time. GIP are the most prevalent of all parasites. They cause significant morbidity and mortality leading to a high global impact of disability-adjusted life years. The objective of this chapter is to summarize the main epidemiological, clinical and radiological features of the commonest GIP. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.