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Strongyloides stercoralis: a field-based survey of mothers and their preschool children using ELISA, Baermann and Koga plate methods reveals low endemicity in western Uganda

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2008

J.R. Stothard ,
J. Pleasant ,
D. Oguttu ,
M. Adriko ,
R. Galimaka ,
A. Ruggiana ,
F. Kazibwe  and
N.B. Kabatereine
J.R. Stothard*
Affiliation:
Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
J. Pleasant
Affiliation:
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, LondonWC1E 7HT, UK
D. Oguttu
Affiliation:
Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
M. Adriko
Affiliation:
Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
R. Galimaka
Affiliation:
Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
A. Ruggiana
Affiliation:
Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
F. Kazibwe
Affiliation:
Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
N.B. Kabatereine
Affiliation:
Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
*
* Fax: +44 207 942 5518 E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

To ascertain the current status of strongyloidiasis in mothers and their preschool children, a field-based survey was conducted in western Uganda using a combination of diagnostic methods: ELISA, Baermann concentration and Koga agar plate. The prevalence of other soil-transmitted helminthiasis and intestinal schistosomiasis were also determined. In total, 158 mothers and 143 children were examined from five villages within Kabale, Hoima and Masindi districts. In mothers and children, the general prevalence of strongyloidiasis inferred by ELISA was ~4% and ~2%, respectively. Using the Baermann concentration method, two parasitologically proven cases were encountered in an unrelated mother and child, both of whom were sero-negative for strongyloidiasis. No infections were detected by Koga agar plate method. The general level of awareness of strongyloidiasis was very poor ( < 5%) in comparison to schistosomiasis (51%) and ascariasis (36%). Strongyloidiasis is presently at insufficient levels to justify inclusion within a community treatment programme targeting maternal and child health. Better epidemiological screening is needed, however, especially identifying infections in HIV-positive women of childbearing age. In the rural clinic setting, further use of the Baermann concentration method would appear to be the most immediate and pragmatic option for disease diagnosis.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 82 , Issue 3 , September 2008 , pp. 263 - 269
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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