HIGH PREVALENCE OF Strongyloides stercoralis INFECTION AMONG THE ELDERLY IN BRAZIL

Abstract

SUMMARYLittle is known about the frequency of intestinal parasites in the elderly due to a lack of attention given to the occurrence of these infections among older adults. This study compares the frequency of Strongyloides stercoralis and other enteroparasites between elderly living in nursing homes (n = 100) and those noninstitutionalized (n = 100) from Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, associated with data of epidemiological and socio-demographic conditions. Through coproparasitological examination of both groups, enteroparasites were detected in 15 of 200 individuals examined (7.5%; CI: 5.1- 9.9). S. stercoralis was the most frequent parasite 10/200 (5%; CI: 4.2-5.8), being significantly higher in males and in individuals with autonomy for daily living activities. There were no statistical differences in the prevalence of parasites between the two groups compared. In conclusion, S. stercoralis infection was highly prevalent in elderly patients and it does not depend on whether the individual was institutionalized or not.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Strongyloides Stercoralis Infection in Selected Tea Garden of Sylhet, Bangladesh

“…The family income significantly associated with Strongyloidiases infection because the low income family gets more infection owing to their poor family status and unable to keep them in hygienic condition. One study in elderly of Brazil Showed significantly association of family income with Strongyloidises infection [33].…”

scFv against HSP60 of Strongyloides sp. and Its Application in the Evaluation of Parasite Frequency in the Elderly

“…Studies to diagnose the incidence and/or prevalence of parasitic diseases at these institutions have been conducted over the years. For the diagnostic tests available and implemented so far, the results show that the prevalence of enteroparasites in the elderly is not associated with long-term institutions, sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, or health conditions [4,5]. However, the frequencies of enteroparasites in the elderly appear to be underestimated because they may vary depending on the study and the country/region evaluated.…”

“…Among the pathogenic helminths investigated, the one most often diagnosed is Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis), a nematode parasite that causes strongyloidiasis, a disease characterized by skin and digestive symptoms, in humans [1][2][3][4][5]. Parasitological surveys using more sensitive and rigorous techniques are needed to provide more reliable results and serve as the basis for future interventions involving sanitary and educational measures to improve health maintenance [2].…”

Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and associated factors among the elderly

“…Although some studies have identified an association between intestinal parasitosis in the elderly and socioeconomic factors (age 5 , marital status, education and income 25 ) and health conditions (activities of daily living 25 ), in the present study, no association was found with these groups of variables, although it was observed that older elderly people (OR=1.59), who live alone (OR=1.38), were illiterate or can read and write (OR=1.15), anemic (OR= 1.36), who reported a lack of appetite (OR = 1.44) or were dependent for IADL (OR=1.60) were more likely, although not significantly so, to be affected by intestinal parasitosis.…”

“…Both measurements were performed in duplicate and the mean values were used in the analyzes. For analysis, BMI was categorized as underweight (BMI<22), normal weight (BMI of [22][23][24][25][26][27] and overweight (BMI>27Kg/m²) 8 .…”