OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the clinical and laboratory methods for diagnosing Strongyloides stercoralis infection in non-endemic countries is different between those who are chronically exposed and those who travel. METHODS: Analysis of laboratory and clinical data from 204 patients having S. stercoralis infection at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London. RESULTS: Sixty-four travellers and 128 immigrants from endemic countries had laboratory-proven strongyloides. In those with microscopically proven disease, serology was 73% sensitive in travellers and 98% sensitive in immigrants (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the eosinophil count between the two groups with 19% having a normal count. Patterns of symptoms varied between the groups, and around one-third were asymptomatic in both groups. Serology was of limited use in follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophil count and stool microscopy are insufficiently sensitive to be used alone for screening strongyloides. The sensitivity of serology is good in immigrants with chronic infection, but lower in travellers.
OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the clinical and laboratory methods for diagnosing Strongyloides stercoralisinfection in non-endemic countries is different between those who are chronically exposed and those who travel. METHODS: Analysis of laboratory and clinical data from 204 patients having S. stercoralisinfection at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London. RESULTS: Sixty-four travellers and 128 immigrants from endemic countries had laboratory-proven strongyloides. In those with microscopically proven disease, serology was 73% sensitive in travellers and 98% sensitive in immigrants (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the eosinophil count between the two groups with 19% having a normal count. Patterns of symptoms varied between the groups, and around one-third were asymptomatic in both groups. Serology was of limited use in follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophil count and stool microscopy are insufficiently sensitive to be used alone for screening strongyloides. The sensitivity of serology is good in immigrants with chronic infection, but lower in travellers.
Authors: Darius Soonawala; Lisette van Lieshout; Marion A M den Boer; Eric C J Claas; Jaco J Verweij; André Godkewitsch; Marchel Ratering; Leo G Visser Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2014-03-10 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Ana Requena-Méndez; Dora Buonfrate; Joan Gomez-Junyent; Lorenzo Zammarchi; Zeno Bisoffi; José Muñoz Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2017-07-27 Impact factor: 2.345