title: Epidemiology of Strongyloides stercoralis on Mekong islands in southern Laos.
abstract: Strongyloides stercoralis is a neglected helminth infection potentially that can lead to systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals. In Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR, Laos), information on S. stercoralis infection is scarce. We assessed S. stercoralis infection and associated risk factors and symptoms on the Mekong islands in Southern Laos. Baermann and Kato-Katz techniques were performed on two stool samples from each individual to detect S. stercoralis larvae and concomitant helminth infections. Among 729 individuals, 41.0% were infected with S. stercoralis. Men were at higher risk than women (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.45-2.67). Urticaria and body itching was associated with S. stercoralis infection (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.42-4.05). Infection with Opisthorchis viverrini (72.2%), Schistosoma mekongi (12.8%), and hookworm (56.1%) were very common. Few infections with Trichuris trichiura (3.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.3%) and Taenia spp. (0.3%) were detected. The majority of helminth infections were of light intensity, with prevalences of 80.4%, 92.9%, 64.5%, 100% and 100%, for O. viverrini, hookworm, S. mekongi, T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides, respectively. Nevertheless, heavy infection intensities were observed for O. viverrini (1.0%), S. mekongi (14.0%) and hookworm (2.9%). S. stercoralis is highly endemic on the islands of Khong district, Champasack province, Southern Laos. The national helminth control programme should take action to control this helminth infection.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Youthanavanh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vonghachack
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
authors.forename: Somphou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sayasone
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
authors.forename: Dalouny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bouakhasith
authors.affiliation: Malaria Station in Champasack Province, Ministry of Health, Pakse, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
authors.forename: Keoka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taisayavong
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
authors.forename: Kongsap
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akkavong
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: peter.odermatt@unibas.ch.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Odermatt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000723:Ancylostomatoidea; D000818:Animals; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006376:Helminths; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology; D062312:Islands; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D009891:Opisthorchis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D045483:Rivers / Q000469:parasitology; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D017171:Strongyloides stercoralis; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014258:Trichuris; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Baermann technique; Epidemiology; Laos; Mekong island; Strongyloides stercoralis