Protozoan parasites are single-celled eukaryotic microorganisms that live in or on a host and cause disease in humans, animals, and other organisms. As eukaryotes, they possess a defined nucleus and complex cellular machinery, and they exhibit diverse modes of locomotion and reproduction, often alternating between m…
Protozoan parasites are single-celled eukaryotic microorganisms that live in or on a host and cause disease in humans, animals, and other organisms. As eukaryotes, they possess a defined nucleus and complex cellular machinery, and they exhibit diverse modes of locomotion and reproduction, often alternating between motile feeding stages and resistant cyst forms that aid transmission. They are commonly grouped by their biology and means of movement and are spread through contaminated food and water, vectors such as insects, contact, or congenital transmission. Medically important protozoa include Plasmodium, the agent of malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes and responsible for major global mortality; intestinal protozoa that cause diarrheal disease through fecal-oral spread; Toxoplasma, which can be transmitted congenitally and affect pregnancy; and trypanosomes and Leishmania, which cause serious systemic infections. These parasites damage hosts by invading and destroying cells, provoking inflammatory and immune responses, and impairing organ function, with outcomes ranging from mild to life-threatening. Animals, including livestock and birds, serve as hosts and sometimes as reservoirs relevant to human exposure. Diagnosis relies on microscopy, antigen and molecular detection, and serology, and control combines treatment, vector management, and sanitation. Research in this area addresses the epidemiology of intestinal and blood protozoan infections, transmission and zoonotic sources, host immune responses, and approaches to diagnosis and control.
8 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 8 articles above have been cited 51 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Protozoan Parasites, linking to each citing work.