A simple parasitological technique to increase detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Bolivian primary health care system
Abstract Background Strongyloides stercoralis is widespread; however, there is limited information on its prevalence owing to laboratory underestimation and low clinical manifestations. The Baermann method and agar culture stand out among the parasitological techniques. Strongyloides stercoralis is...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01888-4 |
| _version_ | 1811217764939988992 |
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| author | Ivana Camacho-Alvarez Elia M. Chavez-Mamani Goyens Philippe Jenny M. Luizaga-López Mary Cruz Torrico Laurent Gétaz Frédérique Jacobs |
| author_facet | Ivana Camacho-Alvarez Elia M. Chavez-Mamani Goyens Philippe Jenny M. Luizaga-López Mary Cruz Torrico Laurent Gétaz Frédérique Jacobs |
| author_sort | Ivana Camacho-Alvarez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Strongyloides stercoralis is widespread; however, there is limited information on its prevalence owing to laboratory underestimation and low clinical manifestations. The Baermann method and agar culture stand out among the parasitological techniques. Strongyloides stercoralis is present in Bolivia, but its prevalence in children remains unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the applicability of simple parasitological techniques to increase the detection of this parasite in children living in the tropics. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tropical village in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Participants were 304 children aged 5 – 12 years who provided stool samples for different parasitological analyses (direct examination, Ritchie, Baermann, and Dancescu techniques), and their parents provided informed consent. Results Up to 64.8% of pathogenic parasites were detected using the modified Ritchie method. The Baermann technique identified 17.8% of Strongyloides stercoralis cases, and a high sensitivity with respect to the Baermann technique was only for the Dancescu technique (75.9%) that is also specific for Strongyloides stercoralis, followed by 66.7% for the modified Ritchie technique, which is used in second-line care. Discussion The Baermann technique is the best parasitological option for improving Strongyloides stercoralis diagnosis in the first-line care of the Primary Health Care System. A particular cycle of reinfection, combined with the environment and some other risk factors are related with persistence. Control is difficult without a proper diagnosis, and the Baermann technique is an approach to the solution. We conclude that with a high suspicion of the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis, the use of the Baermann technique is strongly recommended as support for direct examination in primary health care systems especially in tropical areas. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T06:59:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-047241b90dd74729993a50fb1568609a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2731-4553 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T06:59:56Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Primary Care |
| spelling | doaj.art-047241b90dd74729993a50fb1568609a2022-12-22T03:43:01ZengBMCBMC Primary Care2731-45532022-11-012311810.1186/s12875-022-01888-4A simple parasitological technique to increase detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Bolivian primary health care systemIvana Camacho-Alvarez0Elia M. Chavez-Mamani1Goyens Philippe2Jenny M. Luizaga-López3Mary Cruz Torrico4Laurent Gétaz5Frédérique Jacobs6Medical Sciences Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium); Public Health and Epidemiology, University of San Simón (Bolivia)Biomedical and Social Research Institute, Medicine Faculty, University of San SimónNutrition and Metabolism Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola HUDERFBiomedical and Social Research Institute, University of San SimónMedical Research Laboratory, Parasitology, Medicine Faculty, University of San SimónDivision of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals and University of GenevaInfectious Diseases Department at Université Libre de Bruxelles, CUB-ErasmeAbstract Background Strongyloides stercoralis is widespread; however, there is limited information on its prevalence owing to laboratory underestimation and low clinical manifestations. The Baermann method and agar culture stand out among the parasitological techniques. Strongyloides stercoralis is present in Bolivia, but its prevalence in children remains unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the applicability of simple parasitological techniques to increase the detection of this parasite in children living in the tropics. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tropical village in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Participants were 304 children aged 5 – 12 years who provided stool samples for different parasitological analyses (direct examination, Ritchie, Baermann, and Dancescu techniques), and their parents provided informed consent. Results Up to 64.8% of pathogenic parasites were detected using the modified Ritchie method. The Baermann technique identified 17.8% of Strongyloides stercoralis cases, and a high sensitivity with respect to the Baermann technique was only for the Dancescu technique (75.9%) that is also specific for Strongyloides stercoralis, followed by 66.7% for the modified Ritchie technique, which is used in second-line care. Discussion The Baermann technique is the best parasitological option for improving Strongyloides stercoralis diagnosis in the first-line care of the Primary Health Care System. A particular cycle of reinfection, combined with the environment and some other risk factors are related with persistence. Control is difficult without a proper diagnosis, and the Baermann technique is an approach to the solution. We conclude that with a high suspicion of the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis, the use of the Baermann technique is strongly recommended as support for direct examination in primary health care systems especially in tropical areas.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01888-4Neglected Tropical DiseaseStrongyloides StercoralisDiagnosisBaermann TechniquePrimary Health Care |
| spellingShingle | Ivana Camacho-Alvarez Elia M. Chavez-Mamani Goyens Philippe Jenny M. Luizaga-López Mary Cruz Torrico Laurent Gétaz Frédérique Jacobs A simple parasitological technique to increase detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Bolivian primary health care system BMC Primary Care Neglected Tropical Disease Strongyloides Stercoralis Diagnosis Baermann Technique Primary Health Care |
| title | A simple parasitological technique to increase detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Bolivian primary health care system |
| title_full | A simple parasitological technique to increase detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Bolivian primary health care system |
| title_fullStr | A simple parasitological technique to increase detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Bolivian primary health care system |
| title_full_unstemmed | A simple parasitological technique to increase detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Bolivian primary health care system |
| title_short | A simple parasitological technique to increase detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Bolivian primary health care system |
| title_sort | simple parasitological technique to increase detection of strongyloides stercoralis in bolivian primary health care system |
| topic | Neglected Tropical Disease Strongyloides Stercoralis Diagnosis Baermann Technique Primary Health Care |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01888-4 |
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