Search

Background: Imported strongyloidiasis in non-endemic countries has increasingly been diagnosed. The aim of the present study is to describe the main epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with imported strongyloidiasis attended in a referral International Health Unit and to detect trend changes over a 12-year period., Methods: This is an observational retrospective study including all imported strongyloidiasis cases seen at the International Health Unit Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes (Barcelona, Spain) from January 2009 to December 2020. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics from included patients were collected., Results: Overall, 865 cases of imported strongyloidiasis were diagnosed, of whom 472 (54.6 %) were men and mean age was 38.7 (SD 13.4) years. Most cases were diagnosed in migrants (830, 96 %). The distribution of the geographic origin was: Latin America (561, 67.6 %), Sub-Saharan Africa (148, 17.8 %), Asia (113, 13.6 %), North Africa (5, 0.6 %), Eastern Europe (2, 0.2 %), and North America (1, 0.1 %). The main reasons for consultation at the Unit were screening of health status (371, 42.9 %), laboratory test alteration (367, 42.4 %), gastrointestinal symptoms (56, 6.5 %), cutaneous symptoms (26, 3 %), and other clinical symptoms (45, 5.2 %). An increase in the number of cases was observed in the last years of the study period., Conclusions: Imported strongyloidiasis has increasingly been diagnosed in our referral unit, mostly due to screening strategies implementation. Most of the patients were young migrants coming from Latin America, with no symptoms at the time of diagnosis. The optimization of screening strategies will increase the detection and treatment of cases, reducing potential complications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Strongyloides stercoralis infection is a common neglected tropical disease distributed worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical climates. The impact of S. stercoralis infections on human health ranges from mild asymptomatic infections to chronic strongyloidiasis unnoticeable until the host is immunosuppressed. In severe strongyloidiasis, a syndrome of hyperinfection and larval dissemination to various organs can occur with high mortality rates. The diagnosis of strongyloidiasis is challenging because of the absence of a single standard reference test with high sensitivity and specificity, which also makes it difficult to estimate the accuracy of other diagnostic tests. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the use of an easy-to-perform loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) colorimetric assay (named Strong-LAMP) for the molecular screening of strongyloidiasis in stool samples from patients in a low-resource endemic area in Cubal, Angola. To compare different LAMP application scenarios, the performance of the Strong-LAMP under field conditions in Angola was reassessed in a well-equipped reference laboratory in Spain and compared with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method., Methods: A total of 192 stool samples were collected from adult population in Cubal, Angola, and examined by parasitological methods (direct saline microscopy and Baermann's technique). DNA was extracted from each stool sample using a commercial kit and tested by the colorimetric Strong-LAMP assay for the detection of Strongyloides spp. under field conditions. Furthermore, all samples were shipped to a well-equipped laboratory in Spain, reanalysed by the same procedure and compared with a qPCR method. The overall results after testing were compared., Results: Strongyloides stercoralis larvae were identified by direct saline microscopy and Baermann in a total of 10/192 (5.2%) and 18/192 (9.4%) stool samples, respectively. Other helminth and protozoan species were also identified. The Strong-LAMP-positive results were visually detected in 69/192 (35.9%) stool samples. The comparison of Strong-LAMP results in field conditions and at a reference laboratory matched in a total of 146/192 (76.0%) samples. A total of 24/192 (12.5%) stool samples tested positive by qPCR., Conclusions: This is the first study in which colorimetric Strong-LAMP has been clinically evaluated in a resource-poor strongyloidiasis endemic area. Strong-LAMP has been shown to be more effective in screening for strongyloidiasis than parasitological methods under field conditions and qPCR in the laboratory. Our Strong-LAMP has proven to be a field-friendly and highly accurate molecular test for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

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., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Strongyloides stercoralis is a globally distributed nematode that causes diverse clinical symptoms in humans. Spain, once considered an endemic country, has experienced a recent increase in imported cases. The introduction of serology helps diagnosis and is currently replacing microbiological techniques in some settings, but its sensitivity is variable and can be low in immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis can only be confirmed by identification of larvae. Often, this "gold standard" can only be achieved in severe cases, such as disseminated S.stercoralis infection, or S.stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome, where parasite load is high. In addition, these clinical presentations are not well-defined. Our aim is to describe severe cases of S.stercoralis, their epidemiological profile, and their clinical details., Methods: An observational retrospective study of disseminated S.stercoralis infection, or hyperinfection syndrome. Inclusion criteria: aged over 18, with a diagnosis of disseminated S.stercoralis infection, or hyperinfection syndrome, confirmed by visualization of larvae. Patients were identified through revision of clinical records for the period 2000-2015, in collaboration with eight reference centers throughout Spain., Results: From the period 2000-2015, eighteen cases were identified, 66.7% of which were male, with a median age of 40 (range 21-70). Most of them were foreigners (94.4%), mainly from Latin America (82.3%) or Western Africa (17.6%). Only one autochthonous case was identified, from 2006. Immunosuppressive conditions were present in fourteen (77%) patients, mainly due steroids use and to retroviral coinfections (four HIV, two HTLV). Transplant preceded the clinical presentation in four of them. Other comorbidities were coinfection with HBV, Trypanosoma cruzi, Mycobacterium leprae or Aspergillus spp. All presented with digestive disorders, with 55.6% also presenting malaise. 44.4% of cases had fever, 27.8% skin complaints, and 16.7% respiratory or neurological disorders. One patient presented anemia, and one other nephrotic syndrome. Diagnosis was confirmed by identification of larvae in fresh stool samples (n = 16; 88.9%), concentration techniques (n = 6; 33.3%), larval culture (n = 5; 29.4%), or digestive biopsies (n = 8; 44%). S.stercoralis forms were identified during necropsy in one case. In addition, ten (55%) had a positive serology. All the cases were treated with ivermectin, six (33%) also received albendazole and one case received thiabendazole followed by ivermectin. All needed inpatient management, involving a mean hospitalization stay of 25 days (range 1-164). Two cases received intensive care and eventually died., Conclusions: Only eighteen cases of disseminated S.stercoralis infection/hyperinfection syndrome were identified from the 15-year period, most of which were considered to have been imported cases. Among those, immunosuppression was frequent, and mortality due to S.stercoralis was lower than previously described.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of immunosuppressed patients with imported strongyloidiasis in a non-endemic setting, and to compare these results with non-immunosuppressed patients. This is a case-control substudy from a larger observational retrospective study that included all patients with strongyloidiasis registered in the +REDIVI Spanish Collaborative Network. Overall, 1245 patients with imported strongyloidiasis were included. From these, 80 (6.4%) patients had some kind of immunosuppression. Three (3.8%) patients had a hyperinfection syndrome, and 34 (52.3%) patients had eosinophilia. The percentages of positive results of the formalin-ether technique, the fecal culture and serology were 12.3%, 21.1% and 95.4%, respectively. When comparing the main characteristics, immunosuppressed patients had higher proportion of severe clinical manifestations and lower proportion of eosinophilia. No differences were found regarding yield of microbiological techniques and treatment response. These results stress the importance of strongyloidiasis screening among immunosuppressed patients coming from endemic areas. Serological tests have an acceptable sensitivity to be used as a screening tool. [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]

Background: Imported strongyloidiasis is increasingly being diagnosed in non-endemic areas. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with imported strongyloidiasis in Spain. Methodology: This is an observational retrospective study that included all patients diagnosed of strongyloidiasis registered in the +REDIVI Collaborative Network from 2009 to 2017. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical information was collected from the +REDIVI database, and extra information regarding microbiological techniques, treatment and follow-up was requested to participant centers. Findings: Overall, 1245 cases were included. Most of them were immigrants (66.9%), and South America was the most frequent area of origin. Detection of larvae in stool samples was observed in 21.9% of the patients, and serological tests allowed making the diagnosis in the rest of the cases. Eosinophilia was present in 82.2% of cases. Treatment with ivermectin (compared with albendazole) was the most strongly associated factor to achieve the cure (OR 2.34). Conclusions: Given the long latency of the infection and the risk of developing a severe presentation, screening of S. stercoralis infection should be mandatory in patients coming from or had traveling to endemic areas, especially in those with immunosuppressant conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strongyloides stercoralis is a widely distributed nematode more frequent in tropical areas and particularly severe in immunosuppressed patients. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with strongyloidiasis in migrants living in a non-endemic area and to assess the response to treatment and follow-up in those diagnosed with the infection. We performed a multicenter case-control study with 158 cases and 294 controls matched 1:2 by a department service. Participants were recruited simultaneously at six hospitals or clinics in Spain. A paired-match analysis was then performed looking for associations and odds ratios in sociodemographic characteristics, pathological background, clinical presentation and analytical details. Cases outcomes after a six-month follow-up visit were also registered and their particularities described. Most cases and controls came from Latin America (63%–47%) or sub-Saharan Africa (26%–35%). The number of years residing in Spain (9.9 vs. 9.8, p = 0.9) and immunosuppression status (30% vs. 36.3%, p = 0.2) were also similar in both groups. Clinical symptoms such as diffuse abdominal pain (21% vs. 13%, p = 0.02), and epigastralgia (29% vs. 18%, p < 0.001); along with a higher eosinophil count (483 vs. 224 cells/mL in cases and controls, p < 0.001) and the mean total Immunoglobulin E (IgE) (354 U/L vs. 157.9 U/L; p < 0.001) were associated with having strongyloidiasis. Finally, 98.2% percent of the cases were treated with ivermectin in different schedules, and 94.5% met the cure criteria at least six months after their first consultation. Abdominal pain, epigastralgia, eosinophilia, increased levels of IgE and Latin American origin remain the main features associated with S. stercoralis infection, although this association is less evident in immunosuppressed patients. The appropriate follow-up time to evaluate treatment response based on serology titers should be extended beyond 6 months if the cure criteria are not achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Strongyloidiasis is a prevailing helminth infection ubiquitous in tropical and subtropical areas, however, seroprevalence data are scarce in migrant populations, particularly for those coming for Asia. Methods: This study aims at evaluating the prevalence of S. stercoralis at the hospital level in migrant populations or long term travellers being attended in out-patient and in-patient units as part of a systematic screening implemented in six Spanish hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted and systematic screening for S. stercoralis infection using serological tests was offered to all eligible participants. Results: The overall seroprevalence of S. stercoralis was 9.04% (95%CI 7.76–10.31). The seroprevalence of people with a risk of infection acquired in Africa and Latin America was 9.35% (95%CI 7.01–11.69), 9.22% (7.5–10.93), respectively. The number of individuals coming from Asian countries was significantly smaller and the overall prevalence in these countries was 2.9% (95%CI −0.3–6.2). The seroprevalence in units attending potentially immunosuppressed patients was significantly lower (5.64%) compared with other units of the hospital (10.20%) or Tropical diseases units (13.33%) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: We report a hospital-based strongyloidiasis seroprevalence of almost 10% in a mobile population coming from endemic areas suggesting the need of implementing strongyloidiasis screening in hospitalized patients coming from endemic areas, particularly if they are at risk of immunosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]