Neglected tropical diseases: prevalence and risk factors for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in a region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

Schistosomiasis was the most prevalent parasitic infection found. Our findings show that the occurrence of this disease has been underestimated by the local health care service, and highlight the importance of epidemiological surveillance in areas of low prevalence for schistosomiasis.

The Burden of Helminth Coinfections and Micronutrient Deficiencies in Patients with and without Leprosy Reactions: A Pilot Study in Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…We also found a 15% prevalence of active or recent helminth infection through measurements of IgG4 to Strongyloides, Schistosoma, and Ascaris, which is much higher than the most recently reported prevalence of helminths (< 2%) in urban areas of this state. 26 With more focus on the potential † Control group is those without T1R (includes those with no reaction or those with T2R). ‡ Control group is those without any reaction.…”

“…Some regions in MG are endemic to both leprosy and Schistosoma mansoni infection as well as other helminths. [26][27][28] The clinic serves patients from the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte as well as from all over the state. Patients typically present with complex symptoms that local physicians may not feel comfortable managing.…”

A tale of two neglected tropical infections: using GIS to assess the spatial and temporal overlap of schistosomiasis and leprosy in a region of Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Preliminary research has suggested that helminth coinfection may increase the likelihood of the most infectious form of the disease, possibly from immune dysregulation in chronic helminth infection and an increase in the Th2 response (Diniz et al 2001, 2010). This is one potential cause of sustained transmission in places like Brazil and India, which have relatively high rates of leprosy and helminth disease in many areas (GL 2012, Couto et al 2014, Fonseca et al 2014, Kattula et al 2014, Greenland et al 2015). This project, presenting data on the first-known analysis of the geospatial and temporal overlap of leprosy and schistosomiasis in Brazil, shows a previously undescribed association between M. leprae and S. mansoni infection that can serve both to identify a need for more integrated and horizontal control efforts for these diseases as well as to form the foundation for further research into causal relationships between helminth coinfection and increased leprosy infectivity and transmission.…”

Epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminthiases-related mortality in Brazil

“…The lack of a mandatory reporting system and an active surveillance programme throughout the national territory makes the true burden and the impact of disease unknown and probably underestimated in Brazil (Brazilian Ministry of Health, 2012; Couto et al . 2014). There are few large-scale surveys and systematic studies on prevalence in the general population in the country (Scholte et al .…”

“…STH carriers are also detected by the Schistosomiasis Surveillance Programme within the routine stool examinations, and treated (Brazilian Ministry of Health, 2012). The lack of a mandatory reporting system and an active surveillance programme throughout the national territory makes the true burden and the impact of disease unknown and probably underestimated in Brazil (Brazilian Ministry of Health, 2012;Couto et al 2014). There are few large-scale surveys and systematic studies on prevalence in the general population in the country (Scholte et al 2013;Chammartin et al 2014).…”