Intestinal parasites

"Intestinal parasites" is a broad, non-molecular term that refers to various pathogenic organisms—including protozoa like *Giardia duodenalis*, *Entamoeba histolytica*, *Blastocystis sp.*, and helminths such as hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms—that inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract and cause disease. They are associated with diarrheal illnesses, nutritional deficiencies, and various systemic complications. Therapeutic interventions target specific parasite metabolic pathways, enzymes, structural proteins, or neural systems rather than a single unified molecular target. Multiple drugs and drug classes with different mechanisms of action are used to treat these infections, and ongoing research is identifying parasite-specific biomolecular targets for future therapy.

Other names

Gastrointestinal parasitesGI parasitesEnteric parasitesIntestinal protozoa and helminths

inhibition of microtubule polymerization (e.g., benzimidazoles); disruption of parasite metabolism; inhibition of heme detoxification; inhibition of nucleic acid and protein synthesis; oxidative damage to parasite cells; paralysis of parasite nervous/muscular systems