Ivermectin Treatment and Sanitation Effectively Reduce Strongyloides stercoralis Infection Risk in Rural Communities in Cambodia |
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| Authors: | Armelle Forrer Virak Khieu Christian Schindler Fabian Sch?r Hanspeter Marti Meng Chuor Char Sinuon Muth Peter Odermatt |
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| Affiliation: | 1Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland;2University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland;3National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia;Baylor College of Medicine, UNITED STATES |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundStrongyloides stercoralis is the only soil-transmitted helminth with the ability to replicate within its host, leading to long-lasting and potentially fatal infections. It is ubiquitous and its worldwide prevalence has recently been estimated to be at least half that of hookworm. Information on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis remains scarce and modalities for its large-scale control are yet to be determined.Conclusions/SignificanceChemotherapy-based control of S. stercoralis is feasible and highly beneficial, particularly in combination with improved sanitation. The impact of community-based ivermectin treatment on S. stercoralis was high, with over 85% of villagers remaining negative one year after treatment. The integration of S. stercoralis into existing STH control programs should be considered without further delay. |
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