Immunoepidemiology of intestinal helminthic infections. 1. The global burden of intestinal nematode disease.

Estimates of the world-wide prevalence of intestinal nematode infections indicate that there are more than 1000 million people infected, and several million cases of clinical helminthiases. Recent studies suggest that the morbidity has been underestimated and that moderate intensities of infection may have important developmental consequences, particularly for children of school age.