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Zahra Atrkar Roushan 1 Article
Strongyloides stercoralis and other intestinal parasites in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs in northern Iran: a closer look at risk factors
Leila Mirzaei, Keyhan Ashrafi, Zahra Atrkar Roushan, Mohammad Reza Mahmoudi, Irandokht Shenavar Masooleh, Behnaz Rahmati, Farshid Saadat, Hamed Mirjalali, Meysam Sharifdini
Epidemiol Health. 2021;43:e2021009.   Published online January 20, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2021009
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  • 3 Web of Science
  • 4 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDF
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> and other intestinal parasites in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs in northern Iran and to investigate related risk factors.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 494 patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (n=188) and those treated with prolonged corticosteroid administration (n=306). All fresh fecal samples were examined using the direct wet-mount, formalin ethyl acetate concentration, and agar plate culture techniques.
RESULTS
In total, 16.8% of patients were positive for at least 1 intestinal parasite; the helminthic and protozoan infection rates were 5.1% and 12.3%, respectively. The infection rate was significantly higher in corticosteroid-treated individuals (19.6%) than cancer patients (12.2%) (p<0.05). The prevalence rate of <i>S. stercoralis</i> among patients receiving chemotherapy and those treated with corticosteroids were 4.3% and 5.2%, respectively. The prevalence rate of <i>S. stercoralis</i> infection was significantly higher in older patients (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Strongyloidiasis is one of the most common parasites among patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs in northern Iran. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of these patients are necessary to minimize the complications of severe strongyloidiasis.
Summary
Key Message
This study showed strongyloidiasis is one of the most common parasitic diseases among patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs in northern Iran and early diagnosis before chemotherapy or steroid therapy is necessary.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Human Strongyloides stercoralis infection
    Ruibing Yang, Meiyining Xu, Lichao zhang, Yao Liao, Yuheng Liu, Xiaoyan Deng, Lifu Wang
    Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Seropositivity Rates of Strongyloides stercoralis Antibody in the Southeastern Region of Republic of Korea: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
    Taehwa Kim, Seungjin Lim
    The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2022; 60(3): 181.     CrossRef
  • The Coexistence of Blastocystis spp. in Humans, Animals and Environmental Sources from 2010–2021 in Asia
    Adedolapo Aminat Rauff-Adedotun, Farah Haziqah Meor Termizi, Nurshafarina Shaari, Ii Li Lee
    Biology.2021; 10(10): 990.     CrossRef
  • Comparison of Molecular and Parasitological Methods for Diagnosis of Human Trichostrongylosis
    Mehdi Pandi, Meysam Sharifdini, Keyhan Ashrafi, Zahra Atrkar Roushan, Behnaz Rahmati, Nayereh Hajipour
    Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef

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