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Imported Mansonella perstans infection in Spain
Sabino Puente1, Mar Lago1, Mercedes Subirats2
1Unidad de Medicina Tropical, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital La Paz-Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Infectious Diseases of Poverty
|July 25, 2020
Summary
Mansonella perstans infection, a neglected tropical disease, presents diverse clinical patterns in African migrants. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, especially considering high rates of coinfections.
Area of Science:
- Tropical Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Mansonella perstans infection is a neglected tropical disease with poorly understood clinical manifestations.
- Limited research exists on the specific clinical picture associated with this nematode infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical patterns and treatment outcomes of imported Mansonella perstans infection in migrants from Africa.
- To highlight the diagnostic considerations for M. perstans in relevant patient populations.
Main Methods:
- A 19-year retrospective study of migrants diagnosed with M. perstans infection at a Spanish reference center.
- Statistical analysis including chi-square tests, t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and multivariate regression models.
Main Results:
- 503 cases identified, predominantly from Equatorial Guinea; 45.3% were symptomatic, with pruritus being most common (37.8%).
- High prevalence of hyper-IgE (87.9%) and eosinophilia (67.6%) observed; 38.8% had coinfections with other filarial nematodes.
- Most patients received anti-filarial drugs, with some also treated with steroids or antihistamines.
Conclusions:
- Mansonella perstans infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with pruritus, eosinophilia, or hyper-IgE.
- The high rate of coinfections necessitates standardized treatment protocols for M. perstans.
