Chapter 184 Helminths

BOOK CHAPTER - Helminths are the most common parasites infecting humans. The world population is over six billion an dthere are probably a similar number of helminthic infections occurring in humans.

They are transmitted to humans by food, water, soil and arthropod and moluscan vectors. Once established, they can be found in all organs, particularly intestines but also in liver, lungs, blood and occasionally in brain and other organs.

This chapter describes some of these worms, their biology, epidemiology, pathogenicity, clinical aspects, diagnosis and prevention.