The prevalence of enteropathy due to Strongyloidiasis in Puerto Maldonado (Peruvian Amazon)

Abstract

Human strongyloidiasis is an important health problem in the southeast region of Peruvian Amazon, due to its prevalence and long term morbidity. An epidemiological study was conducted in the Peruvian Amazon area of Puerto Maldonado to determine the prevalence of strongyloidiasis in the population. Stool samples were collected from 1,133 patients at the outpatient department of our clinic. Strongyloidiasis affected 221 examined patients (20%). Prevalence was highest in males, mostly in children and elderly men. People living in urban and marginal urban areas, those coming from outside the region, and Andean people, showed the highest prevalences. Pre-school children were more likely to be parasitized than older children. The most common symptoms were diarrhea (55%), abdominal pain (32%) and cough (53%). One in 7 (13%) affected patients presented with moderate or severe symptoms, including life-threatening complications. Other intestinal parasites were found frequently in patients diagnosed with strongyloidiasis. Improved human waste disposal services are considered to be the main requirement to reduce the high prevalence of this disease.

HIGH PREVALENCE OF Strongyloides stercoralis INFECTION AMONG THE ELDERLY IN BRAZIL

“…These findings were in accordance with other studies2 16 33. The asymptomatic infection which occurs in most of the patients chronically infected may persist for several decades26 37.…”

“…The control of enteroparasite infection is still a challenge in developing countries due to susceptibility of the host, favorable conditions of the environment, low socioeconomic level and precarious hygienic sanitary conditions16 45. SIRIVICHAYAKUL et al 39 have found that the prevalence of infection is much higher in institutionalized mentally handicapped than in non-institutionalized people, since collective living conditions are risk factors for high prevalence of parasitism at the institutions.…”

Patterns and Risk Factors of Helminthiasis and Anemia in a Rural and a Peri-urban Community in Zanzibar, in the Context of Helminth Control Programs

“…In line with findings from Jamaica, our data suggest that an infection with S. stercoralis is independent of age [44]. The observation of a higher S. stercoralis prevalence among males confirms results obtained elsewhere [42], [45], but is in contrast to recent findings from Côte d'Ivoire [46]. The higher risk of both hookworm and S. stercoralis infections in males is likely a result of genetic and immunologic determinants, as well as of gender-specific risk behavior.…”

“…It should be noted that reports on the prevalence and age-profile of S. stercoralis infections are rare, often with conflicting results. Whilst studies from Côte d'Ivoire and China reported a higher prevalence of strongyloidiasis in adults [40], [41], in the Peruvian Amazon and in aboriginal communities in Australia mostly children were affected [42], [43]. In line with findings from Jamaica, our data suggest that an infection with S. stercoralis is independent of age [44].…”

Infección natural por Strongyloides stercoralis en Pithecia monachus (Primates, Pitheciidae). Primer reporte en el Perú

“…Strongyloides stercoralis es un nematode que pertenece al Orden Rhabditida y familia Strongyloididae (Anderson, 2000). Es una especie cosmopolita, parásita de humanos, trasmitida por el suelo en áreas tropicales y subtropicales, hiperendémica en varias zonas de la selva peruana y con menor grado en la costa y sierra (Egido et al, 2001;Marcos et al, 2010). En un estudio de hepatitis virales, protozoos y helmintos en seis especies de primates en Brasil, se encontró que el 17.2% de las muestras fecales estudiadas tenían S. stercoralis (Pereira et al, 2010).…”