Depending on the specific pathogen and the host's overall health, parasitic intestinal infections can develop acutely with severe abdominal pain and fever mimicking appendicitis or in a chronic fashion with weight loss and diarrhea presenting like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
It is possible that T-cell responses that control the parasite also contribute to the immune responses that cause chronic inflammatory damage.
Cryptosporidiosis is a type of gastroenteritis (gastro) caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium. Symptoms can take between one and 12 days to develop after infection. Anyone can become infected with Cryptosporidium parasites. Cryptosporidiosis occurs when the parasites are taken in by mouth.
Eggs shed by the adult worms that do not pass out of the body can become lodged in the intestine or bladder, causing inflammation or scarring.
The parasite itself could be the cause of tissue destruction, thus releasing high amounts of self antigens which might stimulate the autoreactivity.
Chronic gastritis refers to a persistent, but low grade, inflammation and damage to the stomach lining. The gastric mucosa becomes thinner as the normal cells are destroyed. The inflammatory cells include lymphocytes, which indicate an immune response. This is very common, especially in less developed countries.
Giardia infection is an intestinal infection marked by stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and bouts of watery diarrhea. Giardia infection is caused by a microscopic parasite that is found worldwide, especially in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water.
Given the high rates of childhood obesity and parasitic infection in Mexico and the effects both have on inflammatory reactions, intestinal parasites may be associated with systemic and intestinal inflammation.
A parasite found in the intestines can cause a tremendous amount of damage and has the ability to cause intestinal permeability by creating holes in the intestinal wall. Due to this ability, parasites can also lead to the development of food sensitivities and autoimmune disease.
Why? Most people do not know they are infected or at risk, or don't have access to appropriate care. And often, health care providers are unfamiliar with these parasitic infections, and may not diagnose or treat them appropriately.
First, the clean-out process for the colonoscopy is very thorough (if you've had one you know what I mean) and it wipes out any obvious parasites. Even more important, is the fact that parasites actually live INSIDE the colonic wall which will not be seen with the camera.
Parasites could be using glucose (or other things present in the host blood after eating) as a food source: When hosts eat, parasites eat.
Parasites feed off of sugary foods (Cookies, cakes, sweeteners), and foods that convert to sugar quickly (grains, pasta, wheat, rice). Eating foods high in sugar will worsen a parasitic infection, causing it to spread quicker.
If you are suspecting parasites of the gastrointestinal tract, you should discuss this with your General Practitioner or Gastroenterologist.
Autoimmune gastritis can also be associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency. Other diseases and conditions. Gastritis may be associated with other medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, sarcoidosis and parasitic infections.
Gastritis is when the stomach lining becomes inflamed (swollen and red). The stomach lining may also erode (wear down) because of the inflammation. Gastritis can happen suddenly and be short-lived (acute gastritis), or develop gradually and last over a few months or years (chronic gastritis).
Common global water-related diseases caused by parasites include Guinea worm, schistosomiasis, amebiasis, cryptosporidiosis (Crypto), and giardiasis. People become infected with these diseases when they swallow or have contact with water that has been contaminated by certain parasites.
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy
This test is a procedure in which a tube is inserted into the mouth (endoscopy) or rectum (colonoscopy) so that the doctor, usually a gastroenterologist, can examine the intestine. This test looks for the parasite or other abnormalities that may be causing your signs and symptoms.
The white blood cell that is responsible for killing parasitic worms are the eosinophils.