title: The current spectrum and prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in Campania (region of southern Italy) and their relationship with migration from endemic countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Italy, the current clinical-epidemiological features of intestinal parasitosis and the impact of recent massive migration flows from endemic areas on their distribution are not very well known.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analysis was carried out involving 1766 patients (720 natives and 1046 immigrants) observed during the period 2009-2010 (the 'current group') and 771 native patients observed during the period 1996-1997 (the 'historical group'), a time at which immigration in the area was minimal. Patients were analyzed for intestinal parasitosis at four healthcare centres in Campania.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A wide variety of intestinal parasites was detected in the study subjects. Immigrants had a significantly higher prevalence of parasitosis and multiple simultaneous infections than natives in both groups. In both study groups of natives, the detection of at least one parasite was significantly associated with a history of travel to endemic areas. Among immigrants, we found an inverse correlation between the frequency of parasite detection and the amount of time spent in Italy. No circulation of parasites was found among contacts of parasitized patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intestinal parasites are still a cause of intestinal infection in Campania. Although immigrants have a significantly higher prevalence of parasitosis than natives, this does not increase the risk of infection for that population. This is likely due to the lack of suitable biological conditions in our area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belli
authors.affiliation: Unit of Microbiology, Cotugno Hospital, AORN "Ospedali dei Colli", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.affiliation: Unit of Microbiology, Cotugno Hospital, AORN "Ospedali dei Colli", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petrullo
authors.affiliation: VI Division of Infectious Diseases, Cotugno Hospital, AORN "Ospedali dei Colli", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lettieri
authors.affiliation: VI Division of Infectious Diseases, Cotugno Hospital, AORN "Ospedali dei Colli", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.affiliation: VI Division of Infectious Diseases, Cotugno Hospital, AORN "Ospedali dei Colli", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dell'Isola
authors.affiliation: Unit of Microbiology, Cotugno Hospital, AORN "Ospedali dei Colli", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smeraglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Triassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immuno-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Enea
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spada
authors.affiliation: VI Division of Infectious Diseases, Cotugno Hospital, AORN "Ospedali dei Colli", Naples, Italy. Electronic address: pietro.amoroso@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amoroso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014195:Travel
keywords: Chronic bowel diseases; Helminths; Immigrants; Intestinal parasitosis; Protozoa