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Persistent infectious and tropical diseases in immigrant correctional populations
L Getaz1, L Da Silva-Santos2, H Wolff1
1Division of penitentiary medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals.
Abstract:
A number of infectious diseases amongst travelers and the immigrant populations are a major public health concern. Some have a long incubation period or remain asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic for many years before leading to significant clinical manifestations and/or complications. HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis or latent syphilis are among the most significant persistent diseases in migrants. Schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis, for instance, are persistent helminthic infections that may cause significant morbidity, particularly in patients co-infected with HIV, hepatitis B and C. Chagas disease, which was initially confined to Latin America, must also now be considered in immigrants from endemic countries. Visceral leishmaniasis and malaria are other examples of parasitic diseases that must be taken into account by physicians treating incarcerated migrants. The focus of this review article is on the risk of neglected tropical diseases in particularly vulnerable correctional populations and on the risk of infectious diseases that commonly affect migrants but which are often underestimated.
Insights
Migrants and travelers face significant public health risks from infectious diseases, including persistent infections like HIV and tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases. Early detection and management are crucial for vulnerable populations, especially in correctional settings.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Infectious diseases pose a major public health concern in traveler and immigrant populations.
- Many persistent infections remain asymptomatic for years, leading to later complications.
- Neglected tropical diseases and common migrant infections are often underestimated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the risks of neglected tropical diseases in vulnerable correctional populations.
- To highlight infectious diseases commonly affecting migrants that are often underestimated.
- To inform healthcare providers about these significant health risks.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on infectious diseases in migrants and travelers.
- Analysis of persistent and neglected tropical diseases.
- Examination of risks in correctional populations.
Main Results:
- HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and syphilis are significant persistent diseases in migrants.
- Helminthic infections like schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis can cause morbidity, especially with co-infections.
- Chagas disease, visceral leishmaniasis, and malaria are relevant in immigrant and incarcerated populations.
Conclusions:
- Physicians must consider a range of infectious diseases, including neglected tropical diseases, in migrant and incarcerated populations.
- Underestimation of these diseases poses a risk to public health.
- Vulnerable correctional populations require specific attention for infectious disease screening and management.
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