Imported strongyloidiasis: Data from 1245 cases registered in the +REDIVI Spanish Collaborative Network (2009-2017).

• Published in: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Fernando Salvador, Begoña Treviño, Sandra Chamorro-Tojeiro, Adrián Sánchez-Montalvá, Juan María Herrero-Martínez, Azucena Rodríguez-Guardado, Núria Serre-Delcor, Diego Torrús, Josune Goikoetxea, Zuriñe Zubero, María Velasco, Elena Sulleiro, Israel Molina, Rogelio López-Vélez, José Antonio Pérez-Molina, on behalf the +REDIVI Collaborative Network
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2019
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007399; https://doaj.org/article/206c607ae709454980aec36933428001

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.