Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Protozoan Diseases

  • Chapter
Book cover Dermatology

  • 1433 Accesses

Abstract

Protozoa are single-cell eukaryotic organisms, classified on the basis of their morphology and means of locomotion. Many of them are familiar to high-school biology students who during their first encounters with a microscope may watch ciliated or flagellate organisms move about, or slower ameboid creatures gradually spread their pseudopodia. Table 6.1 shows just how ubiquitous protozoa are, how many serious diseases they cause and how many previously poorly understood or unknown organisms have acquired increased importance because of HIV/AIDS. Protozoa may have complex life-cycles, infections are typically difficult to treat and in most cases prophylactic immunization is ineffective. One redeeming feature is that the organisms are large enough to be seen in stool, other tissue fluids and histologic sections in many cases. We only consider a limited number of protozoan infections with cutaneous findings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Bibliography

Leishmaniasis

  • Ashford RW (1997) The leishmaniases as model zoonoses. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 91:693–701

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ashford RW (1999) Cutaneous leishmaniasis: strategies for prevention. Clin Dermatol 17:327–332

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ashford RW, Desjeux P, Raadt P de (1992) Estimation of population at risk of infection and number of cases of leishmaniasis. Parasitol Today 8:104–105

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Azulay RD, Azulay DR Jr (1995) Immune-clinical-pathologic spectrum of leishmaniasis. Int J Dermatol 34:303–307

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berman JD (1997) Human leishmaniasis: clinical, diagnostic, and chemotherapeutic developments in the last 10 years. Clin Infect Dis 24:684–703

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canizares O, Haman RRM (eds) (1992) Clinical tropical dermatology, 2nd edn. Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson RN (1998) Practical guide for the treatment of leishmaniasis. Drugs 56:1009–1018

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dedet JP, Pratlong F, Lanotte G et al. (1999) Cutaneous leishmaniasis. The parasite. Clin Dermatol 17:261–268

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghersetich I, Menchini G, Teofoli P et al. (1999) Immune response to Leishmania infection in human skin. Clin Dermatol 17:333–338

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grevelink SA, Lerner EA (1996) Leishmaniasis. J Am Acad Dermatol 34:257–272

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herwald BL (1999) Leishmaniasis. Lancet 354:1191–1199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jha TK, Sundar S, Thakur CP et al. (1999) Miltefosine, an oral agent, for the treatment of indian visceral leishmaniasis. N Engl J Med 341:1795–1800

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koff AB, Rosen T (1994) Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. J Am Acad Dermatol 31:693–708

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehregan DR, Mehregan AH, Mehregan DA (1999) Histologic diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Clin Dermatol 17:297–304

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moskowitz PF, Kurban AK (1999) Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis: retrospectives and advances for the 21st century. Clin Dermatol 17:305–315

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olliaro PL, Bryceson ADM, Uyemura K (1993) Practical progress and new drugs for changing patterns of leishmaniasis. Parasitol Today 9:323–328

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson RD, Sousa AQ (1996) Clinical spectrum of leishmaniasis. Clin Infect Dis 22:1–13

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Postigo C, Llamas R, Zarco C et al. (1997) Cutaneous lesions in patients with viceral leishmaniasis and HIV infection. J Infect 35: 265–268

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salman SM, Rubeiz NG, Kibbi AG (1999) Cutaneous leishmaniasis: clinical features and diagnosis. Clin Dermatol 17:291–296

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samady JA, Schwartz RA (1997) Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis. Int J Dermatol 36:161–166

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samady JA, Janniger CK, Schwartz RA (1996) Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Cutis 57:13–20

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Trichomoniasis

  • Gulmezoglu AM, Garner P (1998) Trichomoniasis treatment in women: a systematic review. Trop Med Int Health 3:553–558

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haefner HK (1999) Current evaluation and management of vulvovaginitis. Clin Obstet Gynecol 42:184–195

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hook EW III (1999) Trichomonas vaginalis — no longer a minor STD. Sex Transm Dis 26:388–389

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krieger JN (1995) Trichomoniasis in men: old issues and new data. Sex Transm Dis 22:83–96

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krieger JN, Verdon M, Siegel N et al. (1992) Risk assessment and laboratory diagnosis of trichomoniasis in men. J Infect Dis 166:1362–1366

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis DA, Habgood L, White R et al. (1997) Managing vaginal trichomoniasis resistant to high-dose metronidazole therapy. Int J STD AIDS 8:780–784

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nyirjesy P, Sobel JD, Weitz MV et al. (1998) Difficult-to-treat trichomoniasis: results with paromomycin cream. Clin Infect Dis 26:986–988

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paterson BA, Garland SM, Bowden FJ et al. (1999) The diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis: new advances. Int J STD AIDS 10:68–69

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pattman RS (1999) Recalcitrant vaginal trichomoniasis. Sex Transm Infect 75:127–128

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petrin D, Delgaty K, Bhatt R et al. (1998) Clinical and microbiological aspects of Trichomonas vaginalis. Clin Microbiol Rev 11:300–317

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sobel JD, Nagappan V, Nyirjesy P (1999) Metronidazole-resistant vaginal trichomoniasis — an emerging problem. N Engl J Med 341:292–293

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sorvillo F, Kerndt P (1998) Trichomonas vaginalis and amplification of HIV-1 transmission. Lancet 351:213–214

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson C, Malone JH (1998) Audit of diagnostic criteria for Trichomonas vaginalis in a genitourinary medicine clinic. Int J STD AIDS 9:364–365

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Amebiasis

  • Anand AC, Puri P (1999) Amoebiasis revisited: pathogenesis, diagnosis and management. Trop Gastroenterol 20: 2–15

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Jonckheere JF, Brown S (1998) Non-Acanthamoeba amoebic infection. J Infect 36:349–350

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hashimoto K, Miner J (1996) Electron microscopy in AIDS-related infectious diseases. I. Acanthamoebiasis. J Dermatol 23:773–777

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helton J, Loveless M, White CR Jr (1993) Cutaneous acan-thamoeba infection associated with leukocytoclastic vasculitis in an AIDS patient. Am J Dermatopathol 15: 146–149

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hunt SJ, Reed SL, Mathews WC et al. (1995) Cutaneous Acanthamoeba infection in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: response to multidrug therapy. Cutis 56:285–287

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katelaris PH, Farthing MJ (1995) Traveler’s diarrhea: clinical presentation and prognosis. Chemotherapy 41 [Suppl 1]: 40–47

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loschiavo F, Guarneri B, Ventura-Spagnolo T et al. (1997) Cutaneous amebiasis in an Iranian immunodeficient alcoholic: immunochemical and histological study. Dermatology 194:370–371

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magana-Garcia M, Arista-Viveros A (1993) Cutaneous amebiasis in children. Pediatr Dermatol 10:352–355

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • May LP, Sidhu GS, Buchness MR (1992) Diagnosis of Acanthamoeba infection by cutaneous manifestations in a man seropositive to HIV. J Am Acad Dermatol 26: 352–355

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Migueles S, Kumar P (1998) Primary cutaneous acanthamoeba infection in a patient with AIDS. Clin Infect Dis 27:1547–1548

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murakawa GJ, McCalmont T, Altman J et al. (1995) Disseminated acanthamebiasis in patients with AIDS. A report of five cases and a review of the literature. Arch Dermatol 131:1291–1296

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tai ES, Fong KY (1997) Fatal amoebic colitis in a patient with SLE: a case report and review of the literature. Lupus 6:610–612

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wortman PD (1996) Acanthamoeba infection. Int J Dermatol 35:48–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Toxoplasmosis

  • Binazzi M (1986) Profile of cutaneous toxoplasmosis. Int J Dermatol 25:357–363

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn IJ, Palmer PE (1998) Toxoplasmosis. Semin Roentgenol 33:81–85

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fung HB, Kirschenbaum HL (1996) Treatment regimens for patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis. Clin Ther 18: 1037–1056

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lacroix C, Brun-Pascaud M, Maslo C et al. (1996) Co-infection of Toxoplasma gondii with other pathogens: pathogenicity and chemotherapy in animal models. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 223–233 (Current topics in microbiology and immunology, vol 219)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavesio CE, Lightman S (1996) Toxoplasma gondii and ocular toxoplasmosis: pathogenesis. Br J Ophthalmol 80: 1099–1107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Price RW (1996) Neurological complications of HIV infection. Lancet 348:445–452

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rabaud C, May T, Amiel C et al. (1994) Extracerebral toxoplasmosis in patients infected with HIV. A French National Survey. Medicine (Baltimore) 73:306–314

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rabaud C, May T, Lucet JC et al. (1996) Pulmonary toxoplasmosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: a French National Survey. Clin Infect Dis 23:1249–1254

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers CA, Harris JR (1996) Ocular toxoplasmosis in HIV infection. Int J STD AIDS 7:307–309

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson DR, Fisher M, Coker RJ (1995) Management of protozoan infections in AIDS. The Jefferiss Wing Therapeutics and Protocols Group. Int J STD AIDS 6: 237–240

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Frauenlobstraße 9-11, D-80337, Munich, Germany

    Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c.mult. Otto Braun-Falco (Emeritus Professor and Chairman), Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Plewig (Professor and Chairman) & Walter H. C. Burgdorf M.D. (Clinical Lecturer)

  2. Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23562, Lübeck, Germany

    Prof. Dr. med. Helmut H. Wolff (Professor and Chairman)

Authors
  1. Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c.mult. Otto Braun-Falco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Plewig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Prof. Dr. med. Helmut H. Wolff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Walter H. C. Burgdorf M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Braun-Falco, O., Plewig, G., Wolff, H.H., Burgdorf, W.H.C. (2000). Protozoan Diseases. In: Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-97931-6_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-97931-6_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-97933-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-97931-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation