Parasitic pneumonia

Pneumonia
Infectious pneumonias
Bacterial pneumonia Viral pneumonia Fungal pneumonia Parasitic pneumonia Atypical pneumonia Community-acquired pneumonia Healthcare-associated pneumonia Hospital-acquired pneumonia Ventilator-associated pneumonia Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Pneumonias caused by infectious or noninfectious agents
Aspiration pneumonia Lipid pneumonia Eosinophilic pneumonia Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia
Noninfectious pneumonia
Chemical pneumonia
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Parasitic pneumonia is an infection of the lungs by parasites. It is a rare cause of pneumonia, occurring almost exclusively in immunocompromised persons (persons with a weakened or absent immune system. This is a respiratory infection that may or may not be serious.

There are a variety of parasites which can affect the lungs. In general, these parasites enter the body through the skin or by being swallowed. Once inside the body, these parasites travel to the lungs, most often through the blood. There, a similar combination of cellular destruction and immune response causes disruption of oxygen transportation. Depending on the type of parasite, antibiotics can be prescribed.

The most common parasites involved:^[1]

• Ascariasis
• Schistosoma
• Toxoplasma gondii

See also

• Pneumonia

References