Parasites Affecting Organs of Special Senses (Eye, Ear, Nose, and Mouth)

Parasitic infections could also affect organs of special senses (eye, ear, nose, and mouth), triggering severe disabilities, e.g., keratitis, blindness, loss of smell and/or taste, ulceration, and disfigurements. These organs are affected by certain parasites throughout their normal life cycles, e.g., Trypanosoma, Schistosoma, or they are affected directly by specific parasites, e.g., Trichomonas tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis affecting the oral cavity; insect larvae causing myiasis of the nose and ear; Onchocerca volvulus and Loa loa infecting the eye.