American Journal of Epidemiology
Volume 132, Issue 2, 1990, Pages 257-264

Seroepidemiology of Strongyloides infection in the Southeast Asian refugee population in Canada (Article)

Gyorkos T.W.* , Genta R.M. , Viens P. , Maclean J.D.
  • a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, McGill University Centre for Tropical Diseases, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
  • b Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
  • c Le Centre de Coopération Internationale en Santé et Développement, Faculté de Medecine, Université Laval, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada
  • d McGill University Centre for Tropical Diseases, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada

Abstract

As part of a screening and treatment program for intestinal parasite infections offered to newly arrived Southeast Asian refugees in Canada between July 1982 and February 1983, a total of 232 sera were tested for Strongylokies infection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (immunoglobulin G). These results were compared with coprologic results and eosinophil counts. The seropreval-ence was 76.6% (131 of 171) among Kampucheans, 55.6% (15 of 27) among Laotians, and 11.8% (4 of 34) among Vietnamese. A statistically significant relation (p<0.001) was found between Strongyloides aerology and Strongyloides infection on stool examination (prevalence, 24.7%) among Kampucheans. Eosin-ophilia (≥10%) was found to be significantly associated with both infection measures. Using coprologic results as the "gold standard," the properties of the serotogic test were estimated to be: sensitivity (95%), specificity (29%), positive predictive value (30%), and negative predictive value (95%). These estimates should be regarded as minimal values, as stool examination for Strongyloides infection can be an unreliable diagnostic reference. Further evaluation of the discrepancies observed between coprologic and serologic testing is required to determine the usefulness of these tests in epidemiologic studies. © 1990 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.

Author Keywords

Serology Refugees Mass screening Strongyloldes

Index Keywords

Strongyloidiasis refugee Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. mass screening human Refugees priority journal Adolescent Infant, Newborn Canada male female Infant Child, Preschool nematode prevalence sensitivity and specificity Article Support, Non-U.S. Gov't adult seroepidemiology Strongyloides Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic ethnic or racial aspects Eosinophils Seroepidemiologic Studies Asia, Southeastern Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Middle Age Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0025339736&doi=10.1093%2foxfordjournals.aje.a115655&partnerID=40&md5=84019f597548c5b59450a5174409d7d3
DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a115655
ISSN: 00029262
Cited by: 83
Original Language: English