Korean J Parasitol.  2016 Oct;54(5):673-678. 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.5.673.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Strongyloidiasis in Inhabitants of Indigenous Communities in Borneo Island, Malaysia

• Ngui R
• Halim NA
• Rajoo Y
• Lim YA
• Ambu S
• Rajoo K
• Chang TS
• Woon LC
• Mahmud R

• KMID: 2360533
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2016.54.5.673

Abstract

Epidemiological study on strongyloidiasis in humans is currently lacking in Malaysia. Thus, a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection among the inhabitants of longhouse indigenous communities in Sarawak. A single stool and blood sample were collected from each participant and subjected to microscopy, serological and molecular techniques. Five species of intestinal parasites were identified by stool microscopy. None of the stool samples were positive for S. stercoralis. However, 11% of 236 serum samples were seropositive for strongyloidiasis. Further confirmation using molecular technique on stool samples of the seropositive individuals successfully amplified 5 samples, suggesting current active infections. The prevalence was significantly higher in adult males and tended to increase with age. S. stercoralis should no longer be neglected in any intestinal parasitic survey. Combination of more than 1 diagnostic technique is necessary to increase the likelihood of estimating the "˜true' prevalence of S. stercoralis.

Keyword

Strongyloides stercoralis; soil-transmitted helminth (STH); ELISA; PCR; Malaysia

MeSH Terms

Adult
Borneo*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Epidemiologic Studies
Humans
Malaysia*
Male
Microscopy
Parasites
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Prevalence
Strongyloides stercoralis
Strongyloidiasis*