Prevalence and Risk Factors of Strongyloides Stercoralis Infection in Selected Tea Garden of Sylhet, Bangladesh

Muhammed Hossain, Md. Shafi

Abstract

Background: Strongyloidiasis infection is partially an asymptomatic infection and the diagnosis of patent infection is difficult using conventional parasitological methods. The residents of tea garden community of Sylhet, Bangladesh were robustly tested. Method: The collected stool samples were tested by Harada mori culture for the presence of larval stage of Strongyloides stercoralis and to reaffirm the same samples were subjected for conventional PCR, using primer sets deigned to amplify partial ribosomal DNA of S. stercoralis genome. Finally data analysis was performed by Logistic Regression procedure using STATA 13 (College Station, Texas 77845 USA) and Pearson λ2 test, with consideration of P <0.05 as an indication of significant. Result: A total of 300 stool samples freshly collected and examined among those 18 (06.00%) samples were found positive for S. stercoralis in Harada mori culture. In amplification of DNA extracted from raw samples and culture fluid of positive sample, the conventional PCR detected S. stercoralis 38 (12.67%) positive. There were 6 samples positive in Harada mori culture but did not show any response in sophisticated PCR techniques it might be due to low burden of infection. Periodic anthelmintic does not taking OR= 3.946(95% CI 1.369-11.375; P=0.011) and does not wash feet coming from out OR= 5.158(95% CI 1.656-16.068; P=0.005) significantly associated with Strongyloidiases infection. Conclusion: This study confirmed that S. stercoralis is prevalent in the tea garden community of Sylhet identified by both parasitological and molecular methods. The preventive measures by deworming are warranted. Public health education regarding properly periodic anthelmintic taking, wash feet coming from out and personal hygiene are also additional required elements.

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