Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologia Clinica
Volume 34, 2016, Pages 25-31

Screening of parasitic diseases in the asymptomatic immigrant population [El cribado de las enfermedades parasitarias en la población inmigrante asintomática] (Article)

Goterris L. , Bocanegra C. , Serre-Delcor N. , Moure Z. , Treviño B. , Zarzuela F. , Espasa M. , Sulleiro E.*
  • a Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
  • b Unidad de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, PROSICS, Barcelona, Spain
  • c Unidad de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, PROSICS, Barcelona, Spain
  • d Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
  • e Unidad de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, PROSICS, Barcelona, Spain
  • f Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
  • g Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
  • h Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Parasitic diseases suppose an important health problem in people from high endemic areas, so these must be discarded properly. Usually, these infections develop asymptomatically but, in propitious situations, are likely to reactivate themselves and can cause clinical symptoms and/or complications in the receiving country. Moreover, in some cases it is possible local transmission. Early diagnosis of these parasitic diseases made by appropriate parasitological techniques and its specific treatment will benefit both, the individual and the community. These techniques must be selected according to geoepidemiological criteria, patient's origin, migration route or time spent outside the endemic area; but other factors must also be considered as its sensitivity and specificity, implementation experience and availability. Given the high prevalence of intestinal parasites on asymptomatic immigrants, it is recommended to conduct a study by coproparasitological techniques. Because of its potential severity, the screening of asymptomatic malaria with sensitive techniques such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is also advisable. Serological screening for Chagas disease should be performed on all Latin American immigrants, except for people from the Caribbean islands. Other important parasites, which should be excluded, are filariasis and urinary schistosomiasis, by using microscopic examination. The aim of this paper is to review the different techniques for the screening of parasitic diseases and its advices within the care protocols for asymptomatic immigrants. © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U.

Author Keywords

Screening immigrants Chagas disease Parasitic diseases Malaria Strongyloidiasis Asymptomatic Filariasis Intestinal parasitosis Schistosomiasis

Index Keywords

Emigrants and Immigrants intestine infection Malaria Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic immigrant asymptomatic disease parasitosis Chagas Disease asymptomatic infection Asymptomatic Infections prevalence sensitivity and specificity Article human Humans migrant Parasitic Diseases
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84991833400&doi=10.1016%2fS0213-005X%2816%2930216-6&partnerID=40&md5=8b7d552052f33b07ffa478fbd01114af
DOI: 10.1016/S0213-005X(16)30216-6
ISSN: 0213005X
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English; Spanish