Parasites and Diseases of the World

Parasites and Diseases of North America

Cryptosporidiosis has become one of the most common causes of waterbourne diseases in North America. Below is a list of common parasites in North America:

Protozoa (rnicroscopic single-celled organisms)
Blastocystis hominis
Endolimax nana
Cryptosporidiuin parvum
Entamoeba histolytica
Entamoeba coli
Entamoeba hartmanni
Giardia lamblia
Chilomastix mesnili
Cyclospora cayetanensis
Helminths (macroscopic multicellular worms)
Ascaris lumbricoides (human roundworm)
Strongyloides stercoralis (threadworm)
Ancylostoma duodenale/Necator americanus (hookworms)
Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)
Trichuris trichiura (whipworm)


Parasites and Diseases of South America

Schistomsoma are common parasites of South America and are specific to the human intestine. Cysticercosis (tapeworm infection) is endemic in South America being the leading cause of infection of the brain.


Parasites and Diseases of Asia

Japanese Encephalitis is endemic in Asia and is a mosquito-bourne diseased. Dengue Fever is spread through the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquito in Asia.


Parasites and Diseases of Africa

Malaria is one of the most common diseases of Africa. Onchocerciasis ("river blindness") is endemic in Africa and is caused by the larvae of Onchocerca volvulus. Dengue Fever is also very prevalent in Africa spead by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Cholera is also prevalent in Africa, spread by unsanitary conditions and contaminated water. African Trypanosomiasis ("sleeping sickness") is common on many African countries and spread by the tsetse fly.


Parasites and Diseases of Europe

The Anopheles vector is the dominant parasite in Europe. Malaria is a common disease.

Parasites and Diseases of Antarctica

Skin lesions are symptomatic of the disease Parapox virus caused by parasites in the Fauna of Antarctica.


Parasites and Diseases of Australia

Parasitic infections are the most prevalent and important among grazing ruminants in Australia caused by Liver Fluke and nematodes that can sometimes cause stomach ulcers. Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus is the most important sheep and goat parasites while Ostertagia ostertagi is the most common cattle parasite.

Hepatitus A and B are common and highly dominant worldwide.


References:

Robert, K., and Smoky, H. (2007). Cysticercosis: An Emerging Parasitic Disease. Am Fam Physician. 76(1):91-96.


The Centers for Disease Control. Common Infectious Diseases Worldwide. Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0903696.html June 29, 2011.

Stephen, C.J., and Hutchinson, G.W. (2003). Pathology and Diagnosis of Internal Parasites in Ruminants. Gross Pathology of Ruminants, 16:309-338.