TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Introduction to Parasitic Infections A1 - Reed, Sharon L. A1 - Davis, Charles E. A2 - Jameson, J. Larry A2 - Fauci, Anthony S. A2 - Kasper, Dennis L. A2 - Hauser, Stephen L. A2 - Longo, Dan L. A2 - Loscalzo, Joseph Y1 - 2018 N1 - T2 - Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 20e AB - The word parasite comes originally from the Greek parasitos (para, alongside of; and sitos, food), meaning someone who eats at another’s table or lives at another’s expense. Although the same is true of many bacteria and viruses, the designation parasite is reserved, by convention, for helminths and protozoa. These organisms are larger and more complex than bacteria, with a eukaryotic cell structure similar to that of human host cells. Historically, this similarity has made it difficult to find effective antiparasitic agents that do not cause unacceptable toxicity to human cells. Fortunately, intensive research and modern techniques have now provided suitable agents for safe and effective treatment of most parasitic infections. See Chap. S14 for details on diagnostic procedures and Chap. 217 for details on treatment. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1160014267 ER -