Seroepidemiology of Strongyloides spp. Infection in Balimo, Western Province, Papua New Guinea

Strongyloidiasis in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is poorly understood. There have been limited surveys describing the levels of endemicity in some regions of PNG, but in the Western Province, its occurrence and level of bur-den are unknown. This study aimed to determine the seroepidemiology of Strongyloides spp. seropositivity within a com-munity located in the Balimo region of the Western Province. Plasma samples were collected from 120 adult participants and were subjected to anti-IgG Strongyloides spp. serological testing. Logistical regression analyses were performed to identify relationships between strongyloidiasis and attributes of sociodemography. In this cross-sectional cohort study, 22.5% (27/120; 95% CI: 15.9-30.8%) of participants were seropositive for strongyloidiasis. Participants with higher body mass indices were less likely to be seropositive for Strongyloides spp. infection (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85, P value = 0.008), and in the multivariable analysis, increasing units of age (adjusted OR [aOR] = 0.93, P value = 0.048) and participants <= 40 years old were associated with a decreased likelihood of Strongyloides spp. seropositivity (aOR = 0.07, P value = 0.034). The results from this study indicate that the occurrence of strongyloidiasis is high in the Western Prov-ince, PNG, and age is a determining factor of seroreactivity. This study provides evidence of endemic strongyloidiasis in this community and raises questions as to the impact of this neglected disease and other intestinal parasites on disease burden and comorbidities.

Automated summary

Strongyloidiasis in Papua New Guinea (PNG), particularly in the Western Province, is poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the seroepidemiology of strongyloidiasis in a community in the Balimo region of the Western Province. The results showed a high occurrence of strongyloidiasis in this community, with age being a determining factor of seropositivity. This study raises questions about the impact of this neglected disease and other intestinal parasites on disease burden and comorbidities.