Speare, R., and Durrheim, D.N. (2004) Strongyloides serology - useful for diagnosis and management of strongyloidiasis in rural Indigenous populations, but important gaps in knowledge remain. Rural and Remote Health, 4 (264). pp. 1-9.

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Abstract

General practitioners who care for Aboriginal patients in rural and remote communities from tropical Australia must be aware of strongyloidiasis. The prevalence of this parasitic infection is high and occasional cases can have a fatal outcome. Other groups in Australia at high risk of strongyloidiasis are immigrants from endemic countries, particularly from Southeast Asia, and military personnel who have served overseas in endemic areas. Elimination programs for enteric parasites in rural Australian Indigenous communities are so important that a nationally coordinated approach has been advocated. Wisely used, cost-effective diagnostic tests are a critical component of an elimination program. Strongyloidiasis must be confirmed by laboratory diagnosis and the strongyloides ELISA, although not ideal, is a useful test that can be used to diagnose strongyloidiasis and to monitor cure. In this article the value of the current strongyloides ELISA is discussed and a cost-benefit analysis is conducted using direct costs only. In a typical rural Aboriginal community in tropical Australia with prevalence of strongyloidiasis at 20% each true positive case detected by the strongyloides ELISA is estimated to cost approximately AU$590 to diagnose and manage until cure, proven by negative serology.

Item ID:	7111
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1445-6354
Keywords:	cost; diagnosis; serology; Strongyloides
Date Deposited:	24 Mar 2010 01:40
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1108 Medical Microbiology > 110803 Medical Parasitology @ 60% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified @ 40%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 51% 92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920506 Rural Health @ 49%
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