[Screening of apparently healthy people returning from "the tropics"].
Screening for imported parasites and infections in apparently healthy travellers and immigrants from the tropics is made more difficult by the lack of specificity and sensitivity of the standard investigations of blood and stools. Investigations must focus on parasites and infections prevalent in the area where the person has been. In the majority of people returned from the tropics, no infections or parasites are detected. However, some parasites, such as schistosomiasis, amoebae, and strongyloides, persist for many years and must be treated to prevent the development of serious complications at a later stage. The possibility of HIV infection and hepatitis should also be kept in mind when screening.
Thybo
Sören
S
H:S Rigshospitalet, Epidemiafdelingen. thybo@rh.dk
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014195:Travel; D014330:Tropical Medicine
D015415:Biomarkers; D007073:Immunoglobulin E