Parasites as etiological factors of nosocomial infections.

Nosocomial infections represent an increasing threat to public health. In most cases, they concern patients with risk factors such as taken radio- and chemotherapy, those whose immune system might be suppressed and those who might be HIV-positive. Most studies of the incidence of nosocomial infections ignore parasitic infestations. Based on data from 1,265 intensive care units in 75 countries, it was found that the proportion of parasites in nosocomial infections was 0.48% overall, and 0.25% in Western Europe. An analysis of the available literature indicates an increase in the number of hospital parasitoses.