Traveler's diarrhea due to intestinal protozoa

Abstract

Intestinal protozoa account for a minority of cases of acute traveler's diarrhea, but they are common pathogens in travelers who experience protracted diarrhea during or after travel. Evaluation of the traveler with chronic diarrhea should include a careful examination for typical infecting organisms, such as Giardia and Entamoeba species, as well as for emerging parasites, such as Cryptosporidium species, Cyclospora species, and microsporidia. The microbiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of the most common intestinal parasites found in travelers are presented in this minireview.