Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
-
Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Aug 2013
Treatment of strongyloidiasis in HTLV-1 and Strongyloides stercoralis coinfected patients is associated with increased TNFα and decreased soluble IL2 receptor levels.
Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection has been associated with recurrent and disseminated strongyloidiasis and adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). ⋯ These data show that helminthic infection has a modulatory role in HTLV-1 infection and that S. stercoralis may be a cofactor in the development of ATLL.
-
Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Aug 2013
Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of three copromicroscopic methods to assess albendazole efficacy against soil-transmitted helminth infections in school-aged children on Pemba Island.
The diagnostic accuracy of three faecal egg count techniques (Kato-Katz, McMaster and FLOTAC) to assess albendazole efficacy against soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections was compared. ⋯ Further development and validation of standard protocols for anthelminthic drug efficacy evaluation must be pursued.
-
Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Aug 2013
Multicenter StudyStrongyloides stercoralis, the hidden worm. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 70 cases diagnosed in the North Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, Spain, 2003-2012.
The nematode Strongyloides stercoralis has a very particular autoinfection life-cycle which leads to chronic infections remaining undetected for decades. However, hyperinfection can occur in patients receiving immunotherapy resulting in high mortality rates. The main objective of this study was to assess the results of a 10-year multicenter surveillance program performed in an area with dense immigration in Barcelona, Spain. ⋯ During the study period, 90% of the cases of Strongyloides stercoralis diagnosed could be considered as imported by immigrants, most being asymptomatic and with eosinophilia. The infection is probably largely underestimated and population-based studies are needed to determine its true prevalence. Meanwhile, diagnosis must be based on active investigation of the helminth (serology and feces culture), especially in immunocompromised patients. The implementation of pre-immunosuppression protocols with the aim of identifying Strongyloides stercoralis is encouraged with empirical treatment with ivermectin being recommended in sites without diagnostic facilities.
-
Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Jul 2013
Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic manifestations of cardiac involvement in leptospirosis.
Cardiac involvement is known to occur in leptospirosis, however, data on the significance of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings is very limited. ⋯ Echocardiographic changes may be useful in identifying patients with myocarditis in leptospirosis, especially in symptomatic patients.
-
Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. · May 2013
Multicenter StudyMulticenter study of hypoxemia prevalence and quality of oxygen treatment for hospitalized Malawian children.
Although hypoxemic children have high mortality, little is known about hypoxemia prevalence and oxygen administration in African hospitals. We aimed to determine the hypoxemia prevalence and quality of oxygen treatment by local clinicians for hospitalized Malawian children. ⋯ Although hypoxemia is common, the absence of routine pulse oximetry results in most hospitalized, hypoxemic Malawian children not receiving available oxygen treatment.