Use of serology in a systematic screening programme for strongyloidiasis in an immigrant population

Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the results of a systematic serological screening programme for strongyloidiasis. Methods: Aprospective serological screeningprogramme for strongyloidiasis wasperformedbetween2009 and2014 for allimmigrantpatients attending theTropicalMedicineUnit. Three formalin-etherconcentrated stool samples and an ELISA for anti-Strongyloides stercoralis antibodies were used as screening tools. Results: Of 659 patients screened, 79 (12%) were positive for S. stercoralis regardless of the diagnostic method used. The prevalence of infection was 42.9% in East African patients, 16.3% in Central African patients,10.9% in those fromSouthAmerica, and 10% in the case ofWestAfrica. Univariate analysis showed thatinfection by S. stercoralis was significantly more frequentinpatients from CentralAfrica (p = 0.026; OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.03–2.85) and East Africa (p<0.001; OR 5.88, 95% CI 1.75–19.32). Taking West Africa as the reference (as the area of lowest prevalence among the positive prevalence areas), the statistical analysis showed that the risk of infection was higher in East Africa (p = 0.001; OR 6.750, 95% CI 2.127–21.423) and Central Africa (p = 0.065; OR 1.747, 95% CI 0.965–3.163). Conclusions: Due to the potential complications of strongyloidiasis infection, we recommend that immigrantpatients fromdevelopingcountriesbe routinelyscreenedfor S. stercoralis, especiallythose from East Africa. A serological test is a highly appropriate screening tool

Imported strongyloidiasis : Data from 1245 cases registered in the +REDIVI Spanish collaborative network (2009-2017)

Background Imported strongyloidiasis is increasingly being diagnosed in non-endemic areas. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with imported strongyloidiasis in Spain. Methodology This is an observational retrospective study that included all patients diagnosed of strongyloidiasis registered in the +REDIVI Collaborative Network from 2009 to 2017. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical information was collected from the +REDIVI database, and extra information regarding microbiological techniques, treatment and follow-up was requested to participant centers. Findings Overall, 1245 cases were included. Most of them were immigrants (66.9%), and South America was the most frequent area of origin. Detection of larvae in stool samples was observed in 21.9% of the patients, and serological tests allowed making the diagnosis in the rest of the cases. Eosinophilia was present in 82.2% of cases. Treatment with ivermectin (compared with albendazole) was the most strongly associated factor to achieve the cure (OR 2.34). Conclusions Given the long latency of the infection and the risk of developing a severe presentation, screening of S. stercoralis infection should be mandatory in patients coming from or had traveling to endemic areas, especially in those with immunosuppressant conditions

Los virus como herramientas biotecnológicas, caso de estudio: Baculovirus

Los virus, desde siempre han tenido mala reputación; sin embargo, estos microorganismos desempeñan un papel importante en los procesos evolutivos que han dado paso a la vida tal y como la conocemos. Los virus pueden ser muy útiles, si son bien aprovechados. El desarrollo de la virología y las aplicaciones en biotecnología hallará cada vez más beneficios para el ser humano y el medio ambiente. El presente documento, hace una breve revisión de las aplicaciones beneficiosas de los virus, como herramientas de la biología molecular y la biotecnología.Artículo elaborado en la Cátedra de Biorreactores,biofertilizantes y biocontroladores, BBB0,carrera de Ingeniería en Agrobiotecnología, Facultad de Agricultura e Investigación Agrícola, Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgad

Uncinariasis como causa de anemia ferropénica en población penitenciaria

Presentamos un caso clínico de parasitosis por uncinarias en un paciente de origen español, interno en el centro penitenciario, que residió en Brasil. El diagnóstico se estableció a partir de un cuadro de astenia progresiva con una importante pérdida de peso. La analítica mostró anemia ferropénica y eosinofilia, por lo que fue ingresado para estudio hospitalario por Medicina interna, encontrándose huevos de uncinarias en heces. Se realizó tratamiento con Albendazol y hierro consiguiéndose la curación clínica,la normalización de los parámetros bioquímicos y la negativización de las muestras de heces. Creemos que es necesario por parte del médico de prisiones pensar en esta y otras parasitosis ante internos procedentes de países tropicales, donde estas helmintosis son endémicas. Además, quizá sería oportuno por parte de Sanidad Penitenciaria instaurar programas de cribado de parásitos en población inmigrante, incluso si son asintomáticos

Is the treatment of Enterobius vermicularis co-infection necessary to eradicate Dientamoeba fragilis infection?

Objectives: Dientamoeba fragilis is a pathogenic protozoan of the human gastrointestinal tract with a worldwide distribution, which has emerged as an important and misdiagnosed cause of chronic gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhea and ‘irritable-bowel-like’ gastrointestinal disease. Very little research has been conducted on the use of suitable antimicrobial compounds. Furthermore, higher rates of co-infection with Enterobius vermicularis have been described, suggesting that E. vermicularis could influence the treatment of D. fragilis-infected patients. To study this, the treatment of E. vermicularis and D. fragilis co-infected patients was evaluated. Methods: Forty-nine patients with a D. fragilis infection, including 25 (51.0%) patients co-infected with E. vermicularis, were studied. All of them were treated with metronidazole. Patients with E. vermicularis co-infection and/or an E. vermicularis-positive case in the family were treated with mebendazole. Results: Metronidazole treatment failure was significantly more frequent in patients with E. vermicularis co-infection and in patients with children in the family. Conclusions: Co-infection with E. vermicularis may act as a factor favoring D. fragilis infection by preventing eradication measures. This suggests that both parasites should be treated simultaneously