Short communication: Epidemiological assessment of Strongyloides stercoralis in Fijian children

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are significant public health concerns.
• Limited data exists on Strongyloides stercoralis (SS) prevalence in Fiji.
• Integrating SS screening into existing surveys offers a practical approach to understanding its epidemiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot screen school children in Fiji for Strongyloides stercoralis (SS) infection.
• To evaluate the feasibility of combining SS detection methods with LF/STH surveys.
• To confirm the presence of SS infection in the Western Division of Fiji.

Main Methods:

• Faecal samples from 111 school children were examined using the Baermann concentration (BC) method.
• Ethanol-preserved faecal samples from 173 children were analyzed by real-time PCR.
• Clinical examination was performed on a positive case, and household screening was conducted.

Main Results:

• One child tested positive for SS larvae via the BC method, presenting asymptomatic infection.
• Real-time PCR detected SS infection in 3.5% of the examined faecal samples.
• Household screening did not reveal further infections in the index case's family.

Conclusions:

• This study confirms the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Fiji.
• Assessing SS prevalence alongside LF/STH surveys provides a convenient platform for surveillance.
• Combining BC and real-time PCR enhances the detection and monitoring of SS infections.