Epidemiology and immunodiagnostics of Strongyloides stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia

Sahimin, Norhidayu and Lim, Yvonne Ai Lian and Noordin, Rahmah and Yunus, Muhammad Hafiznur and Arifin, Norsyahida and Behnke, Jerzy Marian and Mohd Zain, Siti Nursheena (2019) Epidemiology and immunodiagnostics of Strongyloides stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 12 (6). pp. 250-257. ISSN 1995-7645, DOI https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-7645.261271.

Full text not available from this repository.
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-7645.261271

Abstract

To investigate the status of Strongyloides(S.) stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia for the first time and identify risk factors. Methods: Four diagnostic methods were employed for the detection of S. stercoralis including microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercial kit, ELISA using the rSs1a antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Low and semi-skilled workers from five working sectors (i.e. manufacturing, food service, agriculture and plantation, construction and domestic service) were tested on a voluntary basis. Results: The overall seroprevalence of S. stercoralis from 483 workers employing the ELISA commercial kit for IgG was 35.8% (n=173; 95% CI: 31.5%-40.1%) whereas seroprevalence using the rSs1a-ELISA was 13.0% (n=63; 95% CI: 10.0%-16.0%). Cross tabulation between the ELISA commercial kit and rSs1a-ELISA showed that only 6.4% (n=31; 95% CI: 4.2%-8.6%) of the samples were positive in both tests. Microscopic examination of all 388 fecal samples were negative; however subsequent testing by a nested PCR against DNA from the same samples successfully amplified DNA from three male subjects (0.8%; 3/388). Male workers, India and Myanmar nationality, food service occupation and those living in the hostel were statistically significant with seroprevalence (P<0.005). Conclusion: This is the first report on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis infections among the migrant workers in Malaysia. Our results highlight the importance of using appropriate diagnostic tools for detection. The presence of anti-S. stercoralis antibodies in the study population calls for improvements in personal hygiene and sanitation standards among migrant workers in Malaysia through control strategies including health education campaigns and programs aimed at increasing awareness and healthy behaviors. © 2019 Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine Produced by Wolters Kluwer-Medknow. All rights reserved.

Item Type: Article
Funders: University of Malaya, PPP grant (PG040-2014A), Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) from Ministry of Higher Education (FP015-2014B), UM/MoHE High Impact Research Grant (UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/MED/23), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education grant (HICoE 311/CIPPM/4401005)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Microscopic examination; Migrant workers; PCR; Serological analysis; Strongyloides stercoralis
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
R Medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Science > Institute of Biological Sciences
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Office > Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 28 Jan 2020 01:01
Last Modified: 28 Jan 2020 01:09
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/23588

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item