Mary G. Duke is a Parasitologist based in Brisbane, QLD 4006. Her work focuses on parasitic infections, especially the kinds caused by worms and other parasites you can pick up through travel, food, water, or contact with infected animals.
In many cases, people come in after returning from overseas with ongoing gut problems, skin irritation, or general tiredness. At other times, it’s picked up through testing when symptoms don’t match something more common. Distomatosis, schistosomiasis, and other helminth-related illnesses can be tricky, because symptoms may come and go, and they can look like other conditions.
A parasitologist’s role is to make sense of what’s happening in the body, not just guess. That often means careful history taking, thinking about where a person has been, and using the right lab tests to confirm the cause. Tests can include stool and blood tests, and sometimes other checks depending on the suspected parasite and symptoms.
Management usually centres on clear treatment plans and follow-up. Treatment may involve specific medicines aimed at the parasite, and clinicians also look at side effects and how well symptoms are settling. Over time, the goal is to get the infection under control and help people feel like themselves again.
Mary’s clinical focus includes:
• Distomatosis, which can be linked with certain fluke infections and affects different parts of the body depending on the type.
• Schistosomiasis, often related to freshwater exposure in parts of the world where the parasite is found.
• Helminthiasis, a broad group that covers many worm infections, including those that affect the gut and, in some cases, other systems.
People who seek this kind of care can be from many backgrounds. It might be adults with persistent bowel issues, children in families dealing with ongoing exposure risks, or travellers who want answers after a trip. It’s also relevant for community health work where preventing spread is part of the bigger picture.
Mary G. Duke stays up to date with medical literature and changing testing methods, so care can match the latest guidance. If a case needs extra co-ordination, she can work alongside other health professionals to support safe treatment and proper follow-up.
