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Nickel B, Krebs C, Ruf MT, Anuar NS, Noordin R. An evaluation of a lateral flow rapid diagnostic test for Strongyloides stercoralis infection. Acta Trop 2024; 258:107336. [PMID: 39098752 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Strongyloides stercoralis in humans often presents as a chronic asymptomatic infection. Diagnosis can be challenging due to the limited sensitivity of faecal-based parasitological techniques. A prototype lateral flow rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for the detection of specific antibodies against Strongyloides stercoralis (SsRapid) was evaluated using 143 samples from the serum bank of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. Group 1 (n = 30) comprised serum samples from larvae-positive individuals; the RDT's diagnostic sensitivity was 97 % (29/30). Group II comprised serum samples from patients with other parasitic infections (n = 86) and Swiss blood donors (n = 27); the RDT's diagnostic specificity for this group was 90 % (102/113). The RDT showed good diagnostic performance and is a promising point-of-care test for detecting human Strongyloides stercoralis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Nickel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christina Krebs
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Therese Ruf
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nor Suhada Anuar
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, 11800, Malaysia
| | - Rahmah Noordin
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia.
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2
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Scarso S, Rakotoarivelo RA, Hey JC, Rasamoelina T, Razafindrakoto AR, Rasolojaona ZT, Razafindralava NM, Remkes A, Rakotozandrindrainy N, Rasoamanamihaja CF, Schwarz NG, May J, Rakotozandrindrainy R, Marchese V, Formenti F, Perandin F, Tamarozzi F, Mazzi C, Fusco D, Buonfrate D. Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis and other helminths in four districts of Madagascar. Trop Med Health 2024; 52:49. [PMID: 39075624 PMCID: PMC11285119 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00619-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estimation of prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection is required in endemic areas, in order to identify areas in need of control programmes. Data on prevalence of strongyloidiasis in Madagascar are scant. Aim of this work was to estimate prevalence of S. stercoralis in four districts of Madagascar. METHODS Fecal and serum samples collected in the context of a previous study on schistosomiasis were tested with S. stercoralis real-time PCR and serology, respectively. A multiplex real-time PCR for Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenalis, Necator americanus, and Trichuris trichiura was done on fecal samples collected in the areas demonstrating higher prevalence of strongyloidiasis. Comparisons between proportions were made using Fisher exact test, with false discovery rate correction used for post-hoc comparisons. A multivariable Firth logistic regression model was used to assess potential risk factors for S. stercoralis infection. RESULTS Overall, 1775 serum samples were tested, of which 102 of 487 (20.9%) and 104 of 296 (35.2%) were serological-positive in Marovoay and in Vatomandry districts (both coastal areas), respectively, compared to 28 of 496 (5.6%) and 30 of 496 (6.1%) in Tsiroanomandidy and in Ambositra districts (both highlands), respectively (adj. p < 0.001). PCR for S. stercoralis was positive in 15 of 210 (7.1%) and in 11 of 296 (3.7%) samples from Marovoay from Vatomandry, respectively, while was negative for all samples tested in the other two districts. High prevalence of A. lumbricoides (45.9%), hookworm (44.6%) and T. trichiura (32.1%) was found in Vatomandry. In the multivariable analysis, strongyloidiasis was associated with hookworm infection. Hookworm infection was also associated with male sex and lower education level. CONCLUSIONS S. stercoralis prevalence proved higher in coastal areas compared to highlands. Different climatic conditions may explain this distribution, along with previous rounds of anthelminthics distributed in the country, which may have reduced the parasite load in the population. The high prevalence of the other soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in Vatomandry was unexpected, given the good coverage with benzimidazole in control campaigns. Further studies are needed to explore the risk factors for STH and S. stercoralis infections in Madagascar, in order to align with the WHO recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Scarso
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Jana Christina Hey
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Bernard Nocht Institute, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Aaron Remkes
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Bernard Nocht Institute, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Norbert Georg Schwarz
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Bernard Nocht Institute, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen May
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Bernard Nocht Institute, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Valentina Marchese
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Bernard Nocht Institute, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fabio Formenti
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Perandin
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Tamarozzi
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Cristina Mazzi
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Daniela Fusco
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Bernard Nocht Institute, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy.
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Omidian M, Mostafavi-Pour Z, Asadi M, Sharifdini M, Nezafat N, Pouryousef A, Savardashtaki A, Taheri-Anganeh M, Mikaeili F, Sarkari B. Design and expression of a chimeric recombinant antigen (SsIR-Ss1a) for the serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis: Evaluation of performance, sensitivity, and specificity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012320. [PMID: 39008519 PMCID: PMC11271862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sensitivity of parasitological and molecular methods is unsatisfactory for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis, and serological techniques are remaining as the most effective diagnostic approach. The present study aimed to design and produce a chimeric recombinant antigen from Strongyloides stercoralis immunoreactive antigen (SsIR) and Ss1a antigens, using immune-informatics approaches, and evaluated its diagnostic performance in an ELISA system for the diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The coding sequences for SsIR and Ss1a were selected from GenBank and were gene-optimized. Using bioinformatics analysis, the regions with the highest antigenicity that did not overlap with other parasite antigens were selected. The chimeric recombinant antigen SsIR- Ss1a, was constructed. The solubility and physicochemical properties of the designed construct were analyzed and its tertiary structures were built and evaluated. The construct was expressed into the pET-23a (+) expression vector and the optimized DNA sequences of SsIR-Ss1a (873 bp) were cloned into competent E. coli DH5α cells. Diagnostic performances of the produced recombinant antigen, along with a commercial kit were evaluated in an indirect ELISA system, using a panel of sera from strongyloidiasis patients and controls. The physicochemical and bioinformatics evaluations revealed that the designed chimeric construct is soluble, has a molecular with of 35 KDa, and is antigenic. Western blotting confirmed the immunoreactivity of the produced chimeric recombinant antigen with the sera of strongyloidiasis patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the indirect ELISA system, using the produced SsIR-Ss1a chimeric antigen, were found to be 93.94% (95% CI, 0.803 to 0.989) and 97.22% (95% CI, 0.921 to 0.992) respectively. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The preliminary findings of this study suggest that the produced SsIR-Ss1a chimeric antigen shows promise in the diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. However, these results are based on a limited panel of samples, and further research with a larger sample size is necessary to confirm its accuracy. The construct has potential as an antigen in the ELISA system for the serological diagnosis of this neglected parasitic infection, but additional validation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Omidian
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zohreh Mostafavi-Pour
- Recombinant Proteins Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Marzieh Asadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran
| | - Meysam Sharifdini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Navid Nezafat
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Pouryousef
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Savardashtaki
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Fattaneh Mikaeili
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahador Sarkari
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Weitzel T, Dittrich S, Mockenhaupt FP, Lindner AK. Serological diagnosis of strongyloidiasis: An evaluation of three commercial assays. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012319. [PMID: 38968318 PMCID: PMC11253981 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Strongyloidiasis is caused by a neglected nematode, manifesting as chronic intestinal infection with potentially severe manifestations. The disease is an emerging problem in non-endemic countries affecting travelers and migrants. Diagnosis of strongyloidiasis is hampered by the lack of standardization and absence of a gold standard. Since adequate direct methods to detect the motile larvae in stool samples are not widely available, other techniques such as serology have been developed. METHODS We evaluated three commercial ELISA kits (DRG Instruments, IVD Research, and Bordier Affinity Products) to detect IgG antibodies against Strongyloides stercoralis assays utilizing serum samples from travelers with microscopically confirmed strongyloidiasis (n = 50) and other imported helminthic infections (n = 159) as well as healthy controls (n = 50). RESULTS The DRG, IVD, and Bordier assays showed sensitivities of 58.0%, 64.0%, and 56.0%, respectively. Specificity values were 96.0%, 96.0%, and 92.0% in healthy controls, and 67.3%, 62.9%, and 76.7% in cases with other helminth infections, respectively. Cross-reactions were mostly observed in cases with other nematodes (37.5%, 42.5%, and 20.0%, respectively), but also in trematode (33.3%, 38.1%, and 19.0%, respectively) and in cestode infections (25.0%, 30.0%, and 32.5%, respectively). CONCLUSION The study demonstrates the diagnostic limitations of serological assays to detect or exclude cases of strongyloidiasis in returning travelers, who frequently present with recent or acute infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Weitzel
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of International Health, Charité Center for Global Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Dittrich
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of International Health, Charité Center for Global Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank P. Mockenhaupt
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of International Health, Charité Center for Global Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas K. Lindner
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of International Health, Charité Center for Global Health, Berlin, Germany
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Prato M, Tamarozzi F, Tais S, Rizzi E, Mazzi C, Buonfrate D. Evaluation of the SsIR/NIE recombinant antigen ELISA for the follow up of patients infected by Strongyloides stercoralis: a diagnostic study. Parasitology 2024; 151:295-299. [PMID: 38185819 PMCID: PMC11007275 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182024000027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Some serology assays demonstrated useful for post-treatment monitoring of Strongyloides stercoralis infection. Serology frequently has low specificity, which might be improved by the use of recombinant antigens. The Strongy Detect ELISA is based on 2 recombinant antigens (SsIR and NIE) and proved good accuracy. Aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of this test for the post-treatment monitoring of strongyloidiasis. We tested 38 paired sera, with matched fecal tests results, stored in our biobank and originating from a randomized controlled trial. At baseline, all patients tested positive for at least 1 fecal assay among PCR, direct stool microscopy and agar plate culture. Patients were re-tested with both serology and fecal assays 12 months after treatment. Primary outcome was the relative reduction in optical density (OD) between baseline and follow up. We observed that about 95% samples showed a reduction between pre and post-treatment OD, with a median relative reduction of 93.9% (IQR 77.3%–98.1%). In conclusion, the test proved reliable for post-treatment monitoring. However, some technical issues, including that the threshold for positivity has not be predefined, and that a substantial number of samples showed overflow signals, need to be fixed to permit use in routine practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Prato
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Francesca Tamarozzi
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Stefano Tais
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Eleonora Rizzi
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Cristina Mazzi
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
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Gordon CA, Utzinger J, Muhi S, Becker SL, Keiser J, Khieu V, Gray DJ. Strongyloidiasis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2024; 10:6. [PMID: 38272922 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00490-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused primarily by the roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis. Strongyloidiasis is most prevalent in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Although cases have been documented worldwide, global prevalence is largely unknown due to limited surveillance. Infection of the definitive human host occurs via direct skin penetration of the infective filariform larvae. Parasitic females reside in the small intestine and reproduce via parthenogenesis, where eggs hatch inside the host before rhabditiform larvae are excreted in faeces to begin the single generation free-living life cycle. Rhabditiform larvae can also develop directly into infectious filariform larvae in the gut and cause autoinfection. Although many are asymptomatic, infected individuals may report a range of non-specific gastrointestinal, respiratory or skin symptoms. Autoinfection may cause hyperinfection and disseminated strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised individuals, which is often fatal. Diagnosis requires direct examination of larvae in clinical specimens, positive serology or nucleic acid detection. However, there is a lack of standardization of techniques for all diagnostic types. Ivermectin is the treatment of choice. Control and elimination of strongyloidiasis will require a multifaceted, integrated approach, including highly sensitive and standardized diagnostics, active surveillance, health information, education and communication strategies, improved water, sanitation and hygiene, access to efficacious treatment, vaccine development and better integration and acknowledgement in current helminth control programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Gordon
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Muhi
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sören L Becker
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Virak Khieu
- National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Darren J Gray
- Population Health Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Buonfrate D, Bradbury RS, Watts MR, Bisoffi Z. Human strongyloidiasis: complexities and pathways forward. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0003323. [PMID: 37937980 PMCID: PMC10732074 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00033-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is a World Health Organization neglected tropical disease usually caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, a parasitic worm with a complex life cycle. Globally, 300-600 million people are infected through contact with fecally contaminated soil. An autoinfective component of the life cycle can lead to chronic infection that may be asymptomatic or cause long-term symptoms, including malnourishment in children. Low larval output can limit the sensitivity of detection in stool, with serology being effective but less sensitive in immunocompromise. Host immunosuppression can trigger catastrophic, fatal hyperinfection/dissemination, where large numbers of larvae pierce the bowel wall and disseminate throughout the organs. Stable disease is effectively treated by single-dose ivermectin, with disease in immunocompromised patients treated with multiple doses. Strategies for management include raising awareness, clarifying zoonotic potential, the development and use of effective diagnostic tests for epidemiological studies and individual diagnosis, and the implementation of treatment programs with research into therapeutic alternatives and medication safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Richard S. Bradbury
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University Australia, Berwick, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew R. Watts
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research – New South Wales Health Pathology and Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
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Marrone R, Mazzi C, Ouattara H, Cammilli M, Pontillo D, Perandin F, Bisoffi Z. Screening for Neglected Tropical Diseases and other infections in African refugees and asylum seekers in Rome and Lazio region, Italy. Travel Med Infect Dis 2023; 56:102649. [PMID: 37820947 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few reliable data are available on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and other infections among African refugees and asylum seekers in Italy. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of NTDs and other infections in a large cohort of African refugees and asylum seekers living in reception centers in Lazio, Italy. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is an observational, prospective prevalence study on infectious diseases in a large population of African refugees and asylum seekers (936 overall) consecutively enrolled for screening purpose at the Infectious and Tropical diseases outpatient clinic of the National Institute of Migrant and Poverty (INMP), Rome from August 2019 to December 2020. RESULTS We found a prevalence of 8.8 % and 31 % for Strongyloides and schistosoma infection, respectively, while the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was 0.7 %, HCV antibodies 2.5%, hepatitis B virus surface antigen 10.8 % and syphilis serological tests 2.9 %. CONCLUSION Strongyloidiasis and schistosomiasis are highly prevalent among African refugees and asylum seekers in Italy, in contrast to communicable diseases (with the exception of hepatitis B). Raising awareness of NTDs among health professionals and implementing guidelines seems to be of paramount importance to prevent these diseases and their sufferers from becoming even more "neglected".
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Affiliation(s)
- R Marrone
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, 00153 Roma, Italy.
| | - C Mazzi
- Department of Infectious -Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy.
| | - H Ouattara
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, 00153 Roma, Italy.
| | - M Cammilli
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, 00153 Roma, Italy.
| | - D Pontillo
- Department of Infectious -Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy.
| | - F Perandin
- Department of Infectious -Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy.
| | - Z Bisoffi
- Department of Infectious -Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy.
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