Occasional parasitic infections of man in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya (New Guinea)

Abstract

Most parasites of man in New Guinea are cosmopolitan species, widely distributed and highly prevalent in the island. Reports of other parasite infections are reviewed. This impoverished fauna includes anthroponotic species normally occurring at low prevalences, e.g. Isospora belli, Dientamoeba fragilis, Trichomonas hominis and a few zoonotic forms with pigs as reservoir hosts, notably Balantidium coli and Entamoeba polecki. Other zoonoses are very few and extremely rare. This may be due to the reduced placental mammal fauna. The potential for the spread of Taenia solium infection is highlighted, as is the unique zoogeographical distribution of the Strongyloides species resembling S.fuelleborni. Enterobius gregorii is recorded for the first time from Papua New Guinea.