Korean J Parasitol.  2017 Oct;55(5):569-573. 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.5.569.

Status and Risk Factors of Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Rural Communities of Xayaburi Province, Lao PDR

Affiliations
  • 1National TB Reference Laboratory, National Tuberculosis Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.
  • 2Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. porlau@kku.ac.th
  • 3Neglected, Zoonosis and Vector-Borne Disease Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
  • 4Center of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Ministry of Health, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.

Abstract

The present study was performed to reveal the current status and risk factors of Strongyloides stercoralis infections in the villages of Kenethao district, Xayaburi Province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected and examined for S. stercoralis using Koga-agar plate culture technique. Among 516 individuals, the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworm infection was 44.2% and 17.1%, respectively. Co-infection was detected in 13.2% of the cases. The prevalence did not significantly differ between males and females (P=0.193). However, the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection increased significantly with age (P=0.041). Of the risk factors examined, both performing farming activities (P=0.001) and walking barefoot when going outside of the house (P=0.003) showed significant correlations with S. stercoralis infections. Our results suggest that S. stercoralis is highly endemic in this area. The National Helminth Control Program of Lao PDR should take actions to control S. stercoralis infection. In addition, provision of health education about the benefits of wearing shoes would be important for reducing infection in the study area. Moreover, the application of high-sensitivity diagnostic approaches is needed to obtain the true impact of S. stercoralis infections in all rural communities in order to provide surveillance activities in Lao PDR.

Keyword

Strongyloides stercoralis; risk factor; prevalence; rural area; Koga-agar plate culture

MeSH Terms

Agriculture
Coinfection
Culture Techniques
Female
Health Education
Helminths
Hookworm Infections
Humans
Male
Prevalence
Risk Factors*
Rural Population*
Shoes
Strongyloides stercoralis*
Strongyloides*
Walking
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