International Journal of Public Health
Volume 63, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 233-239

Spectrum of infectious diseases among newly arrived Eritrean refugees in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study (Article)

Chernet A. , Neumayr A. , Hatz C. , Kling K. , Sydow V. , Rentsch K. , Utzinger J. , Probst-Hensch N. , Marti H. , Nickel B. , Labhardt N.D.*
  • a Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • b Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • c Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • d Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • e Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • f University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • g Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • h Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • i Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • j Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • k Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Abstract

Objectives: Our study aimed at determining the prevalence of selected infectious diseases among recently arrived Eritrean refugees in Switzerland. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, asymptomatic Eritrean migrants aged ≥16 years who arrived <24 months ago were recruited at refugee centres in Switzerland. Infectious disease screening included serology for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and schistosomiasis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for malaria, stool microscopy for helminths and intestinal protozoa and circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) testing in urine for schistosomiasis. Results: Among 107 participating Eritrean refugees, point-of-care CCA urine test for Schistosoma mansoni was positive in 43 patients (40.2%; 95% CI 31.9–49.5). Stool microscopy detected eggs of S. mansoni in 23 (21.5%; 95% CI 13.7–29.3), Hymenolepis nana in 11 (10.3%; 95% CI 4.5–16.0), and cysts of Giardia intestinalis in 7 participants (6.5%: 95% CI 1.9–11.2). Two tested positive for hepatitis B (1.9%; 95% CI 0.0–4.4) and one for syphilis (0.9%; 95% CI 0.0–2.8), none tested positive for HIV or hepatitis C. Malaria PCR was positive in six participants (5.6%; 95% CI: 1.2−9.9). Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of S. mansoni infection and potentially severe long-term sequelae of untreated schistosomiasis, routine screening for schistosomiasis in refugees from Schistosoma-endemic regions should be recommended. © 2017, Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+).

Author Keywords

Screening Migration Refugees Eritrea Parasites Infectious diseases Schistosomiasis

Index Keywords

Eritrea refugee mass screening human Communicable Diseases Refugees statistics and numerical data Animals ethnology animal Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans male Schistosoma mansoni female schistosomiasis mansoni prevalence isolation and purification communicable disease adult migration Transients and Migrants Switzerland
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85029584985&doi=10.1007%2fs00038-017-1034-x&partnerID=40&md5=03f7888c767e5c37ab85ac3cc8a8c9b4
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-017-1034-x
ISSN: 16618556
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English