Emerging and Re-emerging Protozoan/Helminth Infections

Parasites cause some of the world’s most severe health problems and include many of the World Health Organization’s Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) list, such as Chagas disease, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, African trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis. Parasitic infections commonly present with a myriad of cutaneous manifestations and immunologic reactions. Therefore, it is important for dermatologists to be aware of emerging and re-emerging parasitic infections of the skin. As many parasitic diseases can have dire consequences, dermatologists should have the knowledge to identify and diagnose these diseases. This chapter aims to help clinicians identify helminthic and protozoan infections based on skin manifestations by focusing on the clinical presentations with a syndromic approach starting with the skin.