Intestinal parasitic infections

Our understanding of the biology of several intestinal parasites has progre ssed considerably in the past year, especially in the area of molecular bio logy. Information from molecular and genetic analyses has been used increas ingly to improve understanding of pathogenesis, to apply improved diagnosti c methods, and to seek new vaccination strategies. There were fewer relevan t clinical studies than in previous years, but some are notable. Control of helminth infections by mass chemotherapy in school age children appears an achievable goal in many communities. Vaccine trials against some protozoan infections continue to show promise in animal models.