Parasites that damage the heart

Some parasites produce diseases that can damage the heart and cause serious disruption of normal cardiac function. Parasitic infections or parasitic infections can cause myocarditis in humans.

The recent Oscar winning movie 'Parasite' has won the hearts of the audience. This movie has made a great impression on the minds of movie lovers. So much for the silver screen. But real-world parasites may not be good for the heart. Some parasites produce diseases that can damage the heart and cause serious disruption of normal cardiac function.

Parasitic infections or parasitic infections can cause myocarditis in humans. This disease causes inflammation of the heart tissue. Parasite attacks can also lead to pericarditis and cardiomyopathy. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the lining of the heart. Cardiomyopathy, on the other hand, is a disorder that interferes with the pumping of the heart - from obstruction to heart failure, according to a research report published in Clinical Microbiology Review.

Here are five parasites that can have a negative effect on the heart.

Toxopsnasma gondi

Toxopsnasmosis can cause a disease called toxopsnasmosis. In contact with cats, this parasite can actually enter the human body. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the parasite enters the body of about 2 billion people worldwide each year, although most do not develop symptoms. The Toxopsnasma gondii parasite can live in the human body for a lifetime. A report published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research states that chronic heart disease can be caused by a chronic infection of the toxoplasma gondola.

Antamiba histolytica

According to the CDC, this parasite is the main cause of amoebiasis or amoebic dysentery. This parasite causes inflammation in the colon and causes diarrhea, which can be characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea. In rare cases, this parasitic infection can lead to complications in the heart - known as amoebic pericarditis. In amoebic pericarditis, the pericardium or the heart is boiled in a sac-like membrane. In almost all cases, patients with pericarditis experience sharp pain in the chest or pain of stabbing nature. The pain is caused by the pericardium wall rubbing against each other.

Trichinella spiralis

Trichenella spiralis is a type of parasitic earthworm that targets carnivorous and omnivorous animals around the world. Infected animals can become infected if their meat is not cooked properly. According to the CDC, larval cysts enter the human body from the flesh of infected animals and cause a disease called trichinosis. Stomach acid dissolves the cyst and the larvae spread throughout the body. These can flow into the bloodstream and build up in the muscles and brain tissue. According to a report by State Pearls, Trichenella spiralis can cause inflammation in the heart and cause life-threatening arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats.

Echinococcus granulosus

Echinococcus granulosus is a type of parasitic tapeworm. Scientists in the Clinical Microbiology Review said that the infection occurs when the eggs of this tapeworm enter the human body from the feces of dogs or other dog-like animals. When the egg hatches, the embryo with six hooks crosses the intestinal wall and enters the organ to form a cyst. Although cardiac cysts are rare, these parasites can cause irregular heartbeats, water in the sacs around the heart, hypertension, loss of consciousness, heart attacks, and even sudden cardiac arrest.

Trypanosoma cruzi

Trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. According to the CDC, mosquito and other insect bites can cause parasites to enter the human body. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, 30% to 40% of people with trypanosoma cruciate ligaments develop chronic heart-related complications, such as irregular heartbeat, excessive dilation of the heart, and congestive heart failure. In the Clinical Microbiology Review, researchers say that in many cases, symptoms may appear 10 to 30 years after being infected with the parasite.