Epidemiological features of intestinal infection with Entamoeba histolytica in Taiwan, 2002-2010.
Amebiasis remains an important public health problem worldwide, and immigration and an increase in international travel have affected the incident cases of the disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in Taiwan between 2002 and 2010. We analyzed data from surveillance programs run by the Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan (Taiwan CDC), and only laboratory-confirmed cases were analyzed. In total, 1796 cases with E. histolytica infections were included in our analysis. Among them, 788 (44%) of the cases were imported, and 1008 (56%) were locally acquired. The average annual incidence rate of E. histolytica infections was 0.49 and 9.26 per 100,000 for local patients and immigrants/foreign workers from endemic countries, respectively. The annual incidence of E. histolytica infections among immigrants/foreign workers was significantly higher than among Taiwanese who had not traveled abroad (P < 0.0001). Travelers to E. histolytica-endemic areas (e.g., Southeast countries) had a higher risk acquiring an E. histolytica infection. This study emphasized that E. histolytica infection is an important intestinal infectious disease in Taiwan. The risk of infection with E. histolytica for travelers was higher for those with destinations in South and Southeast Asia. To control E. histolytica infections in Taiwan, a sensitive surveillance system needs to be established, and the amebiasis-screening program for immigrants/foreign workers from endemic countries should be enforced.
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Liouying Campus, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
Pak-On
PO
Leung
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, China University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.
Kou-Huang
KH
Chen
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, China University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.
Kwo-Liang
KL
Chen
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Yu-Ting
YT
Tsai
Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
Shyun-Yeu
SY
Liu
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Occupational Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address: ktchen@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
Kow-Tong
KT
Chen
D000328:Adult; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014195:Travel; D055815:Young Adult
Amebiasis; Immigrant; Imported case; Taiwan; Travel medicine