Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Tropical Australia and Asia

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infect 2 billion people worldwide including significant numbers in South-East Asia (SEA). In Australia, STH are of less concern; however, indigenous communities are endemic for STH, including Strongyloides stercoralis, as well as for serious clinical infections due to other helminths such as Toxocara spp. The zoonotic hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum is also present in Australia and SEA, and may contribute to human infections particularly among pet owners. High human immigration rates to Australia from SEA, which is highly endemic for STH Strongyloides and Toxocara, has resulted in a high prevalence of these helminthic infections in immigrant communities, particularly since such individuals are not screened for worm infections upon entry. In this review, we consider the current state of STH infections in Australia and SEA.

Egg genotyping reveals the possibility of patent Ancylostoma caninum infection in human intestine

“…Although it has been consistently used as an experimental model for studies in Brazil 31,32 , A. ceylanicum has never been described in animal or human populations in this country. However, the migratory flow of tourists and workers to Brazil observed in recent decades must be carefully analyzed, since this migration has already been responsible for introducing A. ceylanicum species to countries in which it had not been previously described 33 .…”

Impact of the “BALatrine” Intervention on Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Central Java, Indonesia: A Pilot Study

“…People in the intervention village were 2.6 times less likely to be infected following the BALatrine-based intervention than those in the control village indicating that the BALatrine is associated with a reduced worm burden. However, it is important to note that we did not resurvey participants after baseline deworming to determine the efficacy of the Albendazole treatment nor did we differentiate between STH species, which are known to respond differently to treatment [29,30]. We have based our interpretation of the results on the assumption that treatment was effective at temporarily reducing infections to zero.…”

Water and health interlinkages of the sustainable development goals in remote Indigenous Australia

“…• Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) infection risk factors involve those living in poverty and the associated lack of access to clean water and toilets, which contribute to unhygienic practices. In Australia, STH are only of concern where they are endemic in some Indigenous communities, particularly Strongyloides stercoralis in Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, and New South Wales 60 . The worm can contribute to mortality and morbidity, particularly in immune-suppressed patients, but the cycle of infection is effectively disrupted by the introduction of sewerage systems 60 .…”