Parasitic pneumonia

Parasitic pneumonia is an infection of the lungs by parasites. It is a rare cause of pneumonia, occurring almost exclusively in immunocompromisedpersons, such as persons suffering from AIDS.

There are a variety of parasites which can affect the lungs. In general, these parasites enter the body through the skinor by being swallowed. Once inside the body, these parasites travel to the lungs, most often through the blood. There, a similar combination of cellular destruction and immune response causes disruption of oxygentransportation.

The most common parasites involved:

• Toxoplasma gondii
• Strongyloides stercoralis
• Ascariasis
• Hookworm

See also

• Pneumonia

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitic+pneumonia Wikipedia article Parasitic pneumonia.