what are diseases caused by protists
May 5, 2010 Leave a Comment. Before getting to know âwhat diseases do protists causeâ, let us first try to consider âwhat exactly are protistsâ. Protists are unicellular organisms that are not animals, fungi or plants. Instead, they are a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms. Protists tend to remain in environments containing liquid water. Their natural function of these organisms is to serve as primary producers in ecosystems, especially in oceans. On the other hand, they also cause certain diseases in humans. Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protists of the Plasmodium genus. This mosquito-borne disease is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly the areas below the Sahara Dessert in Africa.
Giardiasis, an infection of the small intestine is caused by protists known as Giardia Lamblia. The disease is more common in developing countries as compared to the developed countries. It causes symptoms like cramps, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and other similar symptoms.
1 Leishmaniasis, caused by the leishmania genus of protists, and transmitted by the African sand fly;  Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, and transmitted from contaminated animal meat or contaminated feces of infected animals;