A history and general survey of the helminth and protozoal infections of the West Indies

Abstract

Although hookworm infection and malaria have been eradicated from many areas, Schistosoma mansoni and Wuchereria bancrofti infections are problems in some of the territories. Ascariasis is widespread and of importance in child health. Cestode infestations and clinical amoebiasis are rare. Attention is drawn to several uncommon parasites of which the life-cycles are incompletely known; Mansonella ozzardi, Lagochilascaris minor and Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. The pattern of disease has undergone some remarkable changes. Many parasites introduced from the Old World, especially from Africa, after the European conquest persist in certain regions but others died out. The factors governing their geographical distribution are incompletely understood.