The epidemiology, clinical aspects, and treatment of human intestinal infections with Giardia,
Cryptosporidium, coccidia and Strongyloides in industrialized countries are reviewed. In well-
nourished and immunocompetent persons, inapparent infections or mild, transitory
gastrointestinal upsets caused by these parasites are quite common. Some patients develop
severe symptoms, such as profuse diarrhoea, dehydration, stool irregularities for weeks or
months followed by weight loss and malabsorption of fat, vitamins and iron. In patients …