Pulmonary Parasitic Disease

Most parasitic diseases are contained in tropical and subtropical regions, however, some like toxoplasma and crytosporidium parvum are endemic to the United States. Many parasitic lung diseases present similar to common respiratory illnesses. As clinical manifestations are not specific and routine tests can miss the infections, it is difficult for the pathologist to make a diagnosis. The relative rarity of infection also increases the challenges clinicians and pathologists face when dealing with parasitic lung diseases.Pathologic Diagnosis of Pulmonary Parasitic Disease is designed as a practical guide for the pathologist who encounters pulmonary parasitic diseases in their daily practice. The text comprises 8 chapters covering the handling of lung biopsies, protozoa, nematoda, trematoda, cestoda, associated morphologic patterns, interpreting parasitic vs. psuedoparasitic structures in lung biopsies, and the immunocompromised patient.