Strongyloidiasis: A Disease of Socioeconomic Disadvantage

Abstract

Strongyloidiasis is a disease caused by soil transmitted helminths of the Strongyloides genus. Currently, it is predominately described as a neglected tropical disease. However, this description is misleading as it focuses on the geographical location of the disease and not the primary consideration, which is the socioeconomic conditions and poor infrastructure found within endemic regions. This classification may result in misdiagnosis and mistreatment by physicians, but more importantly, it influences how the disease is fundamentally viewed. Strongyloidiasis must be first and foremost considered as a disease of disadvantage, to ensure the correct strategies and control measures are used to prevent infection. Changing how strongyloidiasis is perceived from a geographic and clinical issue to an environmental health issue represents the first step in identifying appropriate long term control measures. This includes emphasis on environmental health controls, such as better infrastructure, sanitation and living conditions. This review explores the global prevalence of strongyloidiasis in relation to its presence in subtropical, tropical and temperate climate zones with mild and cold winters, but also explores the corresponding socioeconomic conditions of these regions. The evidence shows that strongyloidiasis is primarily determined by the socioeconomic status of the communities rather than geographic or climatic conditions. It demonstrates that strongyloidiasis should no longer be referred to as a “tropical” disease but rather a disease of disadvantage. This philosophical shift will promote the development of correct control strategies for preventing this disease of disadvantage.

Genome-Wide Analyses of Individual Strongyloides stercoralis (Nematoda: Rhabditoidea) Provide Insights into Population Structure and Reproductive Life Cycles

“…This parasite most often resides in areas with tropical or subtropical climates and less frequently in areas with a temperate climate. It occurs infrequently in societies where faecal contamination of soil or water is rare, and therefore, new infections are very rare in countries with developed economies [3]. However, infection can persist for life unless effective treatment eliminates all adult parasites and migrating auto-infective larvae.…”

Prevention of intestinal parasites in a tri‐border area of Latin America: Children perceptions and an integral health education strategy

“…Therefore, any recommendation on this issue should take into account the actual agency to accomplish it, encouraging personal hygiene measures, selecting healthy places to play and involving mothers in the educational strategy. Although a core habit and so difficult to change, walking barefoot is a risk factor in many infections (Lesshafft et al, 2011;Schär et al, 2013;Winter, Oliveira, Wilcke, Heukelbach, & Feldmeier, 2009), as that by Strongyloides stercoralis that is endemic in the region and is responsible for systemic infections with severe complications, particularly in immune-compromised hosts (Beknazarova, Whiley, & Ross, 2016).…”

Complete rectal prolapse in young Egyptian males: Is schistosomiasis really condemned?

“…Even in developing countries, a group of countries in which Egypt is categorized, malnutrition and parasitic infections are diseases that mainly affect the lower socioeconomic classes[14,15]. Population coming from lower socioeconomic classes suffer from poverty, unemployment, lack of high school education, lack of medical care and lack of adequate housing and food (Table 1).…”