Strongyloides stercoralis: A Plea for Action.

Strongyloidiasis, caused by the parasite Strongyloides stercoralis, is a neglected tropical disease that remains a significant public health problem. The prevalence of this infection is largely underestimated, with current estimates of 30 to 100 million infected individuals worldwide. Diagnostic techniques for S. stercoralis are often inadequate, leading to missed cases. Disseminated strongyloidiasis can be life-threatening, especially in immunosuppressed individuals, but the magnitude of this risk is unclear. The optimal treatment regimen for S. stercoralis is still uncertain, and mass treatment campaigns for other soil-transmitted helminths are unlikely to impact S. stercoralis. Urgent action is needed to improve diagnostic tools, increase funding for research and control efforts, establish prevalence thresholds, make ivermectin available for mass treatment, and implement screening and treatment strategies for at-risk individuals. [Extracted from the article]