Abstract | OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of treatment with ivermectin on the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection in an Australian Aboriginal population over a three year period, and to assess the validity of using a lower ELISA cut-off in diagnosis. METHODS: A three-year cohort study of 259 adult Australian Aboriginals living in a remote community in northern Australia. S stercoralis infection was diagnosed using commercial ELISA testing, and employed a lower threshold for treatment than that recommended. Follow up was conducted at 6 months and 3 years following ivermectin treatment. FINDINGS: Treatment with ivermectin was highly effective and resulted in a sustained fall in the prevalence of infection in the study group (Initial prevalence 35.3%, 3 year prevalence 5.8%, McNemar's chi2 = 56.5, p<0.001). Results of treatment suggested use of a lower ELISA threshold for treatment was valid in this setting. Follow up identified a small group of subjects with persistently positive ELISA serology despite repeated treatment. INTERPRETATION: Control of S. stercoralis infection in this cohort appears to be feasible using pharmacological treatment alone.
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Authors | Russell Hays, Adrian Esterman, Robyn McDermott |
Journal | PLoS neglected tropical diseases
(PLoS Negl Trop Dis)
Vol. 11
Issue 7
Pg. e0005825
(Jul 2017)
ISSN: 1935-2735 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 28759583
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Animals
- Australia
(epidemiology)
- Chronic Disease
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Feces
(parasitology)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Ivermectin
(administration & dosage)
- Logistic Models
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- Strongyloides stercoralis
(isolation & purification)
- Strongyloidiasis
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
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