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Objectives: Strongyloidiasis is a nematode infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Previous studies have addressed the possibility of the parasite to establish a complex relationship with the host that could affect the risk of developing diabetes mellitus or modify its presentation. This study aims to evaluate the potential impact of strongyloidiasis in diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases. Methods: Case–control observational retrospective study that included 95 S. stercoralis‐infected patients and 83 non‐infected individuals. Epidemiological and clinical variables were retrieved from medical records, and a statistical analysis was carried out to explore any association between strongyloidiasis and diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases. Results: Most of the patients were men (99, 55.60%) with a mean age of 42.53 ± SD 14 years. Twelve (6.70%) patients were diabetic; 30 (16.90%) presented arterial hypertension; 28 (15.70%) had dyslipidaemia; and 10 (5.60%) had thyroid pathology. When comparing patients with strongyloidiasis and uninfected patients, no differences were found regarding diabetes mellitus or other metabolic diseases. Conclusions: The results obtained in the present study do not confirm any type of association between strongyloidiasis and diabetes mellitus or other metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Pakistani migrants in Catalonia, Spain, could have high hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence. The aims of the HepClink study were (i) to implement and assess the quality of a micro‐elimination strategy based on a community intervention and (ii) to obtain data from primary care (PC) registries as a baseline comparator. Methods: The community intervention targeted Pakistani adults and consisted of education, screening and simplified access to treatment. Quality indicators were calculated (effectiveness, impact and acceptability). The testing rate, the prevalence of HCV antibodies and HCV‐RNA were compared with those observed in the Pakistani population accessing PC in the previous year. Results: A total of 505 participants were recruited through the community intervention (64.6% men, median 37 years) vs those accessing PC (N = 25 455, 70.9% men, median 38 years). Among study participants, 35.1% did not know about HCV and 9.7% had been previously tested. The testing rate in the community intervention was 99.4% vs 50.7% in PC. Prevalence was 4.6% vs 7.1% (p =.008) for HCV antibodies and 1.4% (3/6 new diagnoses) vs 2.4% (p =.183) for HCV‐RNA. Among the six viremic patients, three began treatment within the intervention and two through the usual circuit and all completed the full course. Conclusions: This novel community intervention was well accepted and effective at reaching a Pakistani migrant population with a low‐level knowledge of HCV and largely not tested before. The observed prevalence and the high unawareness of their HCV status justify a targeted screening in this group both in the community and in PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To provide information regarding the prevalence of strongyloidiasis among migrants coming from Strongyloides stercoralis-endemic areas who reside in Spain.Methods: Systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of studies showing prevalence of S. stercoralis infection among migrants from Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and Oceania who reside in Spain. We included articles published until 30 April 2019 without language restriction. The keywords used for the search included 'Strongyloides stercoralis', 'strongyloidiasis', 'Spain', 'screening' and 'migrants'.Results: Twenty-four studies were included in the review and meta-analysis, comprising 12 386 screened people. Eleven studies (7020 patients) evaluated the presence of S. stercoralis infection only through investigation of larvae in faeces, showing an overall prevalence of 1% (95%CI 1-1%). Thirteen studies (5366 patients) used a serological test, showing an overall prevalence of 14% (95%CI 11-17%). Strongyloidiasis seroprevalence was 20% (95%CI 15-24%) among migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, 14% (95%CI 10-18%) among those from Latin America and 8% (95%CI 5-11%) among migrants from North Africa.Conclusions: Migrants coming from strongyloidiasis-endemic areas living in Spain had a high S. stercoralis infection prevalence, particularly those from sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. This population should be screened using serology as the most sensitive test for S. stercoralis infection. This could be easily implemented at primary care level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To understand Zika virus (ZIKV) dynamics in fluids of infected individuals and the risk of sexual transmission.Methods: Prospective study at two centres in Spain. Patients with probable or confirmed diagnosis of ZIKV infection were clinically followed up, and fluid samples were collected from saliva, serum, urine and semen or vaginal secretion following the study protocol. Non-traveller-sexual partners were offered to participate.Results: From January 2016 to December 2016, we included a total of 11 traveller patients and six sexual contacts. Six patients were male, with a median age of 38 years (IQR 30-45). We performed 61 RT-PCR determinations, seven of which were positive. Positive results were retrieved from serum, urine, semen and vaginal tract. One of four women tested positive for ZIKV RNA in vaginal swabs collected during the first 45 days after symptoms onset. Clearance occurred between day 37 and day 69 after symptoms onset. One of five men tested positive for ZIKV RNA in semen collected during the first 45 days after symptoms onset. Clearance occurred between day 23 and 107 after symptoms onset. Six patients had sexual relations during the defined period. All tested patients were negative for ZIKV infection by serological testing.Conclusion: ZIKV shedding persistence in genital fluids occurs in a significant number of symptomatic patients after visiting an endemic area. We did not find any ZIKV seroconversion among the three male contacts who were investigated. Diagnostic algorithms may be updated to include genital tract fluid specimens in the diagnostic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]