Strongyloidiasis—An Insight into Its Global Prevalence and Management

Abstract

Background Strongyloides stercoralis, an intestinal parasitic nematode, infects more than 100 million people worldwide. Strongyloides are unique in their ability to exist as a free-living and autoinfective cycle. Strongyloidiasis can occur without any symptoms or as a potentially fatal hyperinfection or disseminated infection. The most common risk factors for these complications are immunosuppression caused by corticosteroids and infection with human T-lymphotropic virus or human immunodeficiency virus. Even though the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis is improved by advanced instrumentation techniques in isolated and complicated cases of hyperinfection or dissemination, efficient guidelines for screening the population in epidemiological surveys are lacking.Methodology and ResultsIn this review, we have discussed various conventional methods for the diagnosis and management of this disease, with an emphasis on recently developed molecular and serological methods that could be implemented to establish guidelines for precise diagnosis of infection in patients and screening in epidemiological surveys. A comprehensive analysis of various cases reported worldwide from different endemic and nonendemic foci of the disease for the last 40 years was evaluated in an effort to delineate the global prevalence of this disease. We also updated the current knowledge of the various clinical spectrum of this parasitic disease, with an emphasis on newer molecular diagnostic methods, treatment, and management of cases in immunosuppressed patients.ConclusionStrongyloidiasis is considered a neglected tropical disease and is probably an underdiagnosed parasitic disease due to its low parasitic load and uncertain clinical symptoms. Increased infectivity rates in many developed countries and nonendemic regions nearing those in the most prevalent endemic regions of this parasite and the increasing transmission potential to immigrants, travelers, and immunosuppressed populations are indications for initiating an integrated approach towards prompt diagnosis and control of this parasitic disease.

Systemic Cytokine Profiles in Strongyloides stercoralis Infection and Alterations following Treatment

“…Among the common helminth parasites known to establish chronic infections in humans, Strongyloides stercoralis, the causative agent of strongyloidiasis, infects over 50 million people worldwide (1). S. stercoralis is unique in its ability to exist in a free-living and auto-infective cycle (2,3).…”

Screening of immunocompromised patients at risk of strongyloidiasis in western Turkey using ELISA and real-time PCR

“…According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 30-100 million people are infected by Strongyloides spp. Moreover, it is stated that most of these cases are associated with immunosuppressive diseases, organ transplants, and hematological malignancies (2).…”

“…S. fuelleborni, another species of the same genus, occurs sporadically and has globally minor importance because of geographical restriction (3,4). Generally, strongyloidiasis is characterized by chronic infection and can be asymptomatic for decades in healthy individuals (2). However, severe strongyloidiasis may also develop when the immune system of asymptomatic individuals is debilitated.…”

Study of a Neglected Tropical Disease (Ntd): Strongyloides Stercoralis and Its Associated Risk Factors Among School Children in Ahoda-East Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

“…Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that is highly neglected among the helminthes (Olsen et al, 2009), yet about 30 -100 million people are affected by the disease in the world (Puthiyakunnon et al, 2014). Strongyloides stercoralis has auto-infection ability which may result in systemic infections with high worm burden, especially in immunosuppressed hosts (Basile et al, 2010;Khieu et al, 2013).…”