Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. The infection is usually mild or asymptomatic in normal immunocompetent individuals, but could be very severe or even fatal due to hyper infection in individuals who are immunosuppressed. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, risk factors and features of strongyloidiasis among diarrhea patients in Ibadan. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of diarrhea patients from a teaching hospital, three major government hospitals and one mission hospital in Ibadan. Self administered questionnaire, clinical assessment and laboratory investigations were used to confirm health status and presence of S. stercoralis. Diagnosis was made by microscopic examination of stool in saline preparation and formol-ether concentration. One thousand and ninety patients, (562 (51.6%) males and 528 (48.4%) females) consisting 380 (34.9%) children and 710 (65.1%) adults who had diarrhea were studied. The prevalence rate for the parasite among diarrhea patients was 3.0%. While the risk factor for infection remains contact with contaminated soil, malnutrition, steroid therapy, HIV/AIDS, lymphomas, tuberculosis, and chronic renal failure. Others are maleness, institutionalism and alcoholism. Predominant clinical presentations are abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, and bloating and weight loss. Strongyloides stercoralis should be considered in diarrhea patients who are either malnourished or immunosuppressed.
Keywords: Strongyloidiasis, prevalence, diarrhea, risk factors, features, Nigerians
Résumé
La strongyloidiose est une infection parasitaire cause par les Strongyloides stercorale. L’infection est habituellement aigue ou asymptomatique chez les individus normaux et immunocompétent, mais pourrait être sévère ou même fatale due a hyper infection des individus qui sont immunodeficient. Cette étude descriptive a pour but de déterminer la prévalence, les facteurs a risqué et les caractéristiques de la strongyloidiase parmi les patients diarrhéiques dans trois centres hospitaliers majeurs et un hôpital missionnaire a Ibadan. Des questionnaires structures, une évaluation Clinique et des tests de laboratoire étaient utilises pour confirmer le statut de sante et la présence du S. stercorale. Le diagnostic était fait par examination microscopique des selles dans une préparation d’eau salée en plus d’une concentration de formol-éther. Cent quatre vingt dix patients, (562 (51.6%) males et 528 (48.4%) femelles) comprenant 380 (34.9%) enfants et 710 (65.1%) adultes qui avaient des diarrhées étaient étudiés. La prévalence des parasites parmi les cas de diarrhées était de 3.0%. Tandis que le facteur a risque d’infection parasitaire demeurait la contamination du sol, autres facteurs a risque possibles for de cette maladie inclut la malnutrition, le traitement a l’aide des stéroïdes, VIH/SIDA, lymphomes, tuberculose, et la défaillance chronique rénale. D’autres facteurs sont la masculinité, institutionnalisme et alcoolisme. Les signes cliniques prédominant étaient les douleurs abdominales, diarrhées chroniques, et la perte de poids. La strongyloide stercorale pourrait être considéré chez les cas de diarrhées qui sont soit malnouris ou immunodeficient.
Correspondence: Dr. H.O. Dada-Adegbola, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: dadaadegbola@yahoo.com, hodada-adegbola@comui.edu.ng
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