Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is a helminth infection that remains under-researched despite its ability to cause significant illness. Women and children may be at particular risk of health consequences from this parasite. This systematic literature review aims to examine research on the long-term health effects that strongyloidiasis has in pregnant women and children. We conducted a structured search using multiple databases to collect all primary studies discussing health effects of strongyloidiasis in the aforementioned groups. The review included 20 results: 16 primary studies and four case reports. The methodological quality of studies was substandard, and there was substantial heterogeneity to the statistical analysis and outcomes assessed in the literature. Statistically significant associations were found between strongyloidiasis and low birth weight, as well as wasting. No links were found between strongyloidiasis and anaemia. Due to testing methods used in the studies, the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis in these studies was probably under-estimated. Current research is suggestive that strongyloidiasis has long-term adverse health effects on the offspring of infected mothers and in chronically-infected children. Data analysis was hindered by both methodological and statistical flaws, and as such, reliable conclusions regarding the health impacts could not be formed.
Highlights
Strongyloidiasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) caused by the infection of a host with the soil-transmitted nematode of the Strongyloides genus
Heavy infection predisposes to poor growth High rates of anaemia and malnutrition in children Helminth infections not associated with these outcomes
Strongyloides was not managed by treatment Odds ratio of 4.93 of Strongyloides/hookworm infection in pregnancy causing low birth weight (LBW) Higher rates of malnourished in Strongyloides-infected children Malnutrition may increase the risk of contracting Strongyloides
Summary
Strongyloidiasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) caused by the infection of a host with the soil-transmitted nematode of the Strongyloides genus. Humans are most commonly infected by S. stercoralis. S. fuelleborni has been observed to infect humans in Papua New Guinea (PNG). S. stercoralis is believed to infect over 370 million people worldwide [1]. The life cycle of S. stercoralis grants it the ability to autoinfect hosts, thereby allowing the parasites to persist chronically in individuals. The parasite was believed to exist in the small intestines of hosts in a predominantly asymptomatic state, but it occasionally caused low-grade epigastric pain and diarrhoea. Studies have instead shown that intermittently symptomatic strongyloidiasis is more common than asymptomatic infection [4]. As more precise serological tests are being developed, recent data is showing that the prevalence of Strongyloides infections remains consistently underestimated [2,5]
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