Mapping the Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Ecuador: A Serosurvey

Resumen

Data on the prevalence of strongyloidiasis in Ecuador are patchy. The aim of this study was to document the presence of <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> infection in rural communities of different provinces of Ecuador. We tested 1,418 serum samples stored at the biobank of the Central University of Ecuador, Quito, with an ELISA test for <i>Strongyloides</i>. The samples had been collected in eight different provinces of Ecuador. Two hundred ninety-four samples (20.7%) were positive, and Jipijapa, Manabí Province, was the site with the largest proportion of positive samples (66.7%). Further surveys aimed at estimating the prevalence of the infection should be carried out in areas where the infection seems highly prevalent, and ad hoc control measures should be adopted.