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Strongyloidiasis in primary - School children of Borbon, Equador - evaluation of prevalence and diagnostic tests validity by "latent class analysis"

Abstract:

In order to know the prevalence of strongyloidiasis in school children in Borbon (Esmeraldas, Ecuador) and the accuracy of direct and concentrated microscopic examination, of the eosinophil count and of a serologic assay to detect antibodies to confirm or exclude an infection, 195 children were examined. All were submitted to stool examination (both direct and after formol - ether concentration), eosinophils count and a serologic assay to detect antibodies for Strongyloides. A latent class analysis was (LCA) was carried out on laboratory results. The clusters size were of 68.9% and 31.0%, being the latter the plausible prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis. One third of the school children is therefore infected by S. stercoralis. None of the direct diagnostic methods has an acceptable sensitivity. In such circumstances, the extension of mass anti-elminthic treatments including the use of ivermectin should be considered.