Prevalence of < i > Strongyloides stercoralis < /i > infection and associated clinical symptoms among schoolchildren living in different altitudes of Amhara National Regional State, northwest Ethiopia

by Tadesse Hailu Jember, Arancha Amor, Endalkachew Nibret, Abaineh Munshea, Maria Flores-Chavez, Thuy-Huong Ta-Tang, Jose M Saugar, Agust ín Benito, Melaku Anegagrie BackgroundStrongyloides stercoralis is a parasite that causes strongyloidiasis in humans. It is prevalent in the tropics and sub-tropics where poor sanitation is a common problem. The true prevalence ofS.stercoralis in Ethiopia is underestimated due to the lack of a “Gold” standard diagnostic method. Moreover, its prevalence across altitudinal gradient in Amhara Region has not been studied. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 844 schoolchildren in Amhara Region from April to December 2019. A stool sample was collected from each study participant and processed using formol ether concentration technique (FECT), spontaneous tube sedimentation technique (STST), Baermann concentration technique (BCT), agar plate culture (APC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were entered using EpiData and analyzed by SPSS version 23 statistical software. Prevalence ofS.stercoralis infection was determined using a single diagnostic technique and combination of techniques. Association of clinical variables withS.stercoralis infection was assessed by logistic regression and independent variables with p
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research