Strongyloidiasis is endemic in another Australian population group: Indochinese immigrants

The prevalence of antibodies against Strongyloides in the serum of newly-arrived Indochinese immigrants was determined. Sera that had been stored in the State Health Laboratories, Perth, were stratified according to age and sex, then samples were selected at random. Two hundred and ninety sera that had been obtained from persons between the ages of one and 69 years were examined by an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Five per cent of children who were aged between one and two years gave positive reactions. The positive reaction rate in this population increased by approximately 7% per year until the age of seven to eight years at which point it levelled off. Approximately half of all older children, teenagers and adults had positive antibody responses, indicating past or present infection with Strongyloides stercoralis. This parasite is an extremely unusual worm in that it is able to replicate within the human host. Consequently, infection may persist for years. Furthermore, immunosuppression may result in fatal, disseminated infection. Strongyloidiasis is now recognized in three major Australian population groups: Aborigines who are living in the north of the country; World War II veterans who were prisoners in southeast Asia; and Indochinese immigrants. The salient features of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of strongyloidiasis are reviewed.