Distribution of prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis in Peru (1981-2010): an exploratory study

Strongyloidiasis is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of Latin America. In Peru, the impact of Strongyloides stercoralis in public health is unknown. The objective of the present study is to describe the spatial and temporal distribution of the prevalence of S. stercoralis in Peru between 1981 and 2010, and the most affected populations. A search for epidemiological  studies was performed in the database of LIPECS, LILACs, Scielo Peru, MEDLINE and Google Scholar. The studies that
reported prevalence of S. stercoralis by using any parasitological technique were included. Between 1981 and 2010, the global prevalence rate was 6.3 %. A total of 3,695 people were reported with S. stercoralis in stools during the last 30 years. From 1981 to 2001, a total of 3,013 subjects had S. stercoralis in stools that represents a global prevalence rate of 6.6 %. From 2002 to 2010,
a total of 676 subjects had S. stercoralis in stools that represents a global prevalence rate of 5.1 %. A global reduction of prevalence was noted during the last 30 years except in the Coastal region, which deserves further research. In conclusion, Stercoralis is hyperendemic in many areas of the rainforest of Peru into a lesser extent in the coast and Andean region. Future epidemiological studies should use highly sensitive diagnostic techniques for S. stercoralis larvae detection such as Modified
Baermann's Technique or Agar-plate Culture to avoid understimating parasitorsis
Author(es): Marcos R., Luis A.; Cabrera, Rufino; Machicado, Jorge D.; Canales, Marco; Terashinta, Angélica
Source  Revista Peruana de Parasitología (Rev. peru parasito.)
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10757/559094