High Efficacy of Ivermectin for Strongyloidiasis Treatment.

Infection with Strongyloides stercoralis is often asymptomatic but can be life-threatening in immunocompromised patients, which can be prevented by ivermectin (IVM) treatment. The efficacy of IVM has been reported to have lessened over time in some regions as a consequence of prolonged use and mass treatment campaigns. Ivermectin has been used in Thailand for more than a decade; therefore, we investigated the efficacy of a single dose (200 µg/kg) of IVM against in asymptomatic strongyloidiasis in northeastern Thailand. Fecal samples were collected before and 2 weeks after treatment and were analyzed for the presence of Strongyloides using a modified agar plate culture and the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique. Our results showed that single-dose IVM treatment successfully eliminated S. stercoralis infection in asymptomatic individuals in the endemic area with a 100% cure rate, indicating the high efficacy of IVM treatment in strongyloidiasis in northeast Thailand.

Characterization of the endogenous DAF-12 ligand and its use as an anthelmintic agent in Strongyloides stercoralis.

A prevalent feature of Strongyloides stercoralis is a life-long and potentially lethal infection that is due to the nematode parasite's ability to autoinfect and, thereby, self-replicate within its host. Here, we investigated the role of the parasite's nuclear receptor, Ss-DAF-12, in governing infection. We identified Δ7-DA as the endogenous Ss-DAF-12 ligand and elucidated the hormone's biosynthetic pathway. Genetic loss of function of the ligand's rate-limiting enzyme demonstrated that Δ7-DA synthesis is necessary for parasite reproduction, whereas its absence is required for the development of infectious larvae. Availability of the ligand permits Ss-DAF-12 to function as an on/off switch governing autoinfection, making it vulnerable to therapeutic intervention. In a preclinical model of hyperinfection, pharmacologic activation of DAF-12 suppressed autoinfection and markedly reduced lethality. Moreover, when Δ7-DA was administered with ivermectin, the current but limited drug of choice for treating strongyloidiasis, the combinatorial effects of the two drugs resulted in a near cure of the disease.

Case Report: Challenges for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Strongyloides stercoralis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients.

Strongyloidiasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD), which is caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, can be fatal in immunocompromised patients. In most chronic cases, infections most frequently are asymptomatic, and eosinophilia might be the only clinical characteristic of this disease. The use of corticosteroids in some diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may lead to the development of the life-threatening S. stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome. In the present research, we presented five cases of strongyloidiasis with a history of COPD and receiving corticosteroids from Abadan County, southwestern Iran. By performing the direct smear stool examinations, two cases were identified and the other three cases were diagnosed using the agar plate culture method. Despite reporting eosinophilia in previous patients' hospitalizations, the fecal examination was not performed for parasitic infections. Moreover, pulmonary symptoms were similar, but gastrointestinal symptoms were varied, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, epigastric pain, constipation, and diarrhea. All the included patients were treated with albendazole, which is the second-line drug for S. stercoralis, and relapse of infection was observed in two patients by passing few months from the treatment. The increased blood eosinophil count was shown to play important roles in both the management of COPD and diagnosis of helminthic infections. In COPD patients who are receiving steroids, screening and follow-up for strongyloidiasis should be considered as priorities. In addition, ivermectin, which is the first-line drug for strongyloidiasis, should be available in the region.

Efficacy and safety of ascending doses of moxidectin against Strongyloides stercoralis infections in adults: a randomised, parallel-group, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, phase 2a trial.

BACKGROUND: Strongyloidiasis represents a major public health issue, particularly in resource-limited countries. Preliminary studies suggest that moxidectin might serve as an alternative to the only available treatment option, ivermectin. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ascending doses of moxidectin in Strongyloides stercoralis-infected patients. METHODS: We did a randomised, parallel-group, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, phase 2a trial in four villages in northern Laos. Eligible adults (aged 18-65 years) with S stercoralis infection intensities of at least 0·4 larvae per g of stool in at least two stool samples were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1:1:1) by use of computerised, stratified, block randomisation into seven treatment groups: 2 mg of moxidectin, 4 mg of moxidectin, 6 mg of moxidectin, 8 mg of moxidectin, 10 mg of moxidectin, 12 mg of moxidectin, or placebo. Participants and primary outcome assessors were masked to treatment allocation, but study site investigators were not. Participants received a single oral dose of their allocated dose of moxidectin in 2 mg tablets, or four placebo tablets. Three stool samples were collected at baseline and two stool samples were collected 28 days after treatment from each participant. A Baermann assay was used to quantify S stercoralis infection and Kato-Katz thick smears were used to qualitatively identify coinfections with additional helminths species. The primary endpoint was cure rate against S stercoralis and was analysed in an available case analysis set, defined as all randomly assigned participants with primary endpoint data. Predicted cure rates and associated CIs were estimated with hyperbolic Emax models. Safety was evaluated in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04056325, and is complete. FINDINGS: Between Nov 27, 2019, and March 15, 2020, 785 adults were screened for trial eligibility. Of these, 223 participants were randomly assigned to treatment groups and 209 completed the study and were analysed for the primary outcome. 2 mg of moxidectin had a predicted cure rate of 75% (95% CI 59-87; 22 [73%] of 30 cured) against S stercoralis compared with a predicted cure rate of 14% (5-31; four [14%] of 29 cured) for placebo. With escalating doses, the probability of cure increased from 83% (95% CI 76-88; 26 [90%] of 29 cured) at 4 mg to 86% (79-90; 27 [84%] of 32 cured) at 6 mg, and to 87% (80-92; 24 [83%] of 29 cured) at 8 mg, levelling off at 88% (80-93; 29 [97%] of 30 cured) at 10 mg and 88% (80-93; 26 [87%] of 30 cured) at 12 mg. Moxidectin was well tolerated across all treatment groups, with no serious adverse events being recorded and all reported symptoms being classified as mild. INTERPRETATION: 4-12 mg of moxidectin showed promising tolerability and efficacy profiles in the treatment of S stercoralis infections in adults. Because 8 mg of moxidectin is used for the treatment of onchocerciasis and has been evaluated for other helminth infections, we recommend this dose for phase 2b and phase 3 trials of strongyloidiasis therapy. FUNDING: Fondazione Adiuvare.

Preventive chemotherapy for the control of strongyloidiasis in school-age children: Estimating the ivermectin need.

BACKGROUND: Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted helminth (STH) that affects approximately 600 million people worldwide. Interventions targeting S. stercoralis have not been implemented yet. Specific treatment (ivermectin) could be included in already ongoing preventive chemotherapy (PC) campaigns targeting other STHs. The aim of this study was to estimate the quantity of ivermectin needed for an integrated STH/S. stercoralis control program. METHODODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Our study estimates the number of school- age children (SAC) (the main focus of STH deworming campaigns) in need of PC with ivermectin. The normal approximation of the binomial distribution was adopted to calculate the hypothetical prevalence distribution in each endemic country. Considering prevalence thresholds for PC equal to 10%, 15%, and 20%, we estimated the number of SAC in need of treatment. We adjusted the estimates accounting for ivermectin distributed in lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis elimination programs and excluded from our calculation areas where Loa loa is endemic. The global number of SAC that should be targeted in PC campaigns was estimated at 283.9 M (95% CI: 163.4-368.8), 207.2 M (95% CI: 160.9-380.7), and 160.7 M (95% CI: 86.6-225.7) when the threshold for intervention was set to 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively. India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Nigeria accounted for about 50% of the global SAC would have to be covered by PC intervention. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our analysis may support endemic countries to evaluate the ivermectin quantity needed for integrating strongyloidiasis in the existing STH programs. These estimates might also show to generic drug manufacturers the size of the potential market for ivermectin and encourage its production.

Regulatory T cell expansion resolves after effective strongyloidiasis treatment in subjects with HTLV-1 co-infection.

BACKGROUND: Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are increased in patients with HTLV-1/Strongyloides stercoralis co-infection, and they may modify otherwise protective antigen-specific cytokine production. We hypothesized that effective anti-helminthic treatment would decrease Tregs and restore antigen-specific cytokine responses. METHODS/RESULTS: We enrolled 19 patients with Strongyloides larvae in their stool by Baerman's test. Six were positive and 13 negative for antibody to HTLV-1 by ELISA, with positive tests confirmed by immunoblot. Before treatment, co-infected subjects had higher Tregs percentages and lower antigen-stimulated IL-5 levels compared to subjects with Strongyloides without HTLV-1. All patients were treated with ivermectin. After effective treatment, Tregs percentages decreased in patients with HTLV-1; however, antigen-specific IL-5 production remained blunted in co-infected subjects. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that treating strongyloidiasis infection decreases circulating Tregs, but antigen-specific cytokine remains altered. This may reflect blunting of sensitization by Tregs.

Nematocidal effect of Piper retrofractum Vahl on morphology and ultrastructure of Strongyloides stercoralis third-stage infective larvae.

In a previous research work aimed at discovering natural helminthicides as alternatives to conventional synthetic drugs, Piper retrofractum fruit hexane extract (PHE) has been shown to possess promising nematocidal activity against the third-stage infective larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the chemical composition and the impact of PHE on symptom and structural alterations of S. stercoralis. Chemical analysis of PHE by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry demonstrated 26 different compounds, constituting 100% of the total composition. The main components were 4-acetylphenyl (4-benzoylphenoxy) acetate (14.86%) and octyl methoxycinnamate (12.72%). Nematocidal bioassays revealed promising potential of PHE against S. stercoralis larvae, with an LC50 value of 0.059 mg/ml, while the reference drug ivermectin exerted higher efficacy, with an LC50 value of 0.020 µg/ml. Behavioural observations under light microscopy revealed that PHE-treated S. stercoralis larvae moved slowly, became paralysed and eventually died during 24 h of incubation. The dead larvae appeared under light microscope as straight worms with unknown vacuoles of different sizes inside their internal bodies. Morphological alterations of the PHE-treated S. stercoralis larvae, such as straight bodies with swollen cuticle, faded transverse annulations and faded longitudinal striations, as well as shallow and smooth lateral longitudinal grooves, were seen clearly under scanning electron microscopy. Ultrastructural changes in the treated larvae, such as protruded lateral longitudinal grooves, loose muscle with vacuolation, dissociation between the hypodermis and cuticle and marked intracellular disorganization with vacuolation, were detected under transmission electron microscopy. The results of this study provide evidence that PHE is toxic against S. stercoralis and also a potential new alternative for anti-Strongyloides chemotherapy.

Ivermectin concentration in breastmilk of a woman with Strongyloides stercoralis and human T-lymphotropic virus-I co-infection.

Ivermectin is a widely used drug for the treatment of various neglected tropical diseases, such as lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and strongyloidiasis among others. Despite its excellent safety profile, there are few published studies of the use of ivermectin in children, pregnant and nursing women. In the present study, we report clinical data on ivermectin concentrations in breastmilk of a woman with Strongyloides stercoralis and HTLV-I coinfection. Ivermectin levels in breastmilk ranged from 1.4 to 20.8 ng/ml, with a mean of 9.26 ng/ml after a single dose of 200 µg/kg. We estimated the possible ivermectin exposure of the infant to be 1.1 µg/kg, 0.55% of the weight-adjusted percentage of the maternal dose. This value is largely under the threshold established by the World Health Organization for safe breastfeeding. Our results bolster previous findings on the secretion of ivermectin into breastmilk in healthy volunteers. The findings from this case study do not support exclusion of lactating women or interrupting lactation to accommodate it.

Multiple-dose versus single-dose ivermectin for Strongyloides stercoralis infection (Strong Treat 1 to 4): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised controlled superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Strongyloides stercoralis infection is a neglected condition that places people who are immunocompromised at risk of hyperinfection and death. Ivermectin is the drug of choice for the treatment of S stercoralis infection, but there is no definitive evidence on the optimal dose. This trial aimed to assess whether multiple doses of ivermectin were superior to a single dose for the treatment of non-disseminated strongyloidiasis. METHODS: Our study was designed as a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised controlled superiority trial. Participants were enrolled in four centres in Italy, three in Spain, and two in the UK, and recruiting sites were predominantly hospitals. Eligible patients were older than 5 years, weighed more than 15 kg, were residents in an area not endemic for S stercoralis, and either were positive for S stercoralis in faecal tests and on serology (any titre) or had a positive serological test with high titres, irrespective of the result of faecal tests. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using a computer-generated, blinded allocation sequence (with randomly mixed block sizes of six, eight, and ten participants) to receive either one dose of ivermectin 200 µg/kg or four doses of ivermectin 200 µg/kg (given on days 1, 2, 15, and 16). The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with clearance of S stercoralis infection at 12 months, which was assessed in all randomly assigned participants who were not lost to follow-up (modified full-analysis set) and in participants in the modified full-analysis set who did not deviate from the assigned treatment regimen (per-protocol set). All participants were included in the safety analysis. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01570504, and is now closed for recruitment. FINDINGS: Of the 351 patients assessed for eligibility, 309 recruited between March 26, 2013, and May 3, 2017, were randomly assigned to one dose (n=155) or four doses (n=154) of ivermectin. At 12 months in the modified full-analysis set, 86% (95% CI 79 to 91; 102 of 118 participants) had responded to treatment in the single-dose group compared with 85% (77 to 90; 96 of 113 participants) in the four-dose group (risk difference 1·48%, 95% CI -7·55 to 10·52; p=0·75); similar results were observed in the per-protocol set. Adverse events were generally of mild intensity and more frequent in the multiple-dose than in the single-dose group. The trial was terminated early due to futility. INTERPRETATION: Multiple doses of ivermectin did not show higher efficacy and was tolerated less than a single dose. A single dose should therefore be preferred for the treatment of non-disseminated strongyloidiasis. FUNDING: There was no funding source for this study.

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry5B is Active against Strongyloides stercoralis in vitro.

Strongyloidiasis, caused by Strongyloides stercoralis infection, is an important neglected tropical disease that causes significant public health problems in the tropics and subtropics. The disease can persist in hosts for decades and may be life-threatening because of hyperinfection and dissemination. Ivermectin (mostly) and albendazole are the most common anthelmintics used for treatment. Albendazole is suboptimal for this parasite, and although ivermectin is quite effective in immunocompromised patients, a multiple-course regimen is required. Furthermore, reliance on a single drug class for treating intestinal nematodes is a recipe for future failure. Therefore, it is important to discover new anthelmintics to treat or prevent human strongyloidiasis. One promising candidate is the Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein Cry5B. Cry5B is highly potent against parasitic nematodes, for example, hookworms and Ascaris suum. Here, we investigated the potential of Cry5B against S. stercoralis. Multiple stages of S. stercoralis, including the first larval stage (L1s), infective stage (iL3s), free-living adult stage, and parasitic female stage, were all susceptible to Cry5B as indicated by impairment of motility and decreased viability in vitro. In summary, Cry5B demonstrated strong potential as an effective anthelmintic for treatment and transmission control of human strongyloidiasis, justifying further experiments to investigate in vivo therapeutic efficacy.

Imported strongyloidiasis: Data from 1245 cases registered in the +REDIVI Spanish Collaborative Network (2009-2017).

BACKGROUND: Imported strongyloidiasis is increasingly being diagnosed in non-endemic areas. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with imported strongyloidiasis in Spain. METHODOLOGY: This is an observational retrospective study that included all patients diagnosed of strongyloidiasis registered in the +REDIVI Collaborative Network from 2009 to 2017. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical information was collected from the +REDIVI database, and extra information regarding microbiological techniques, treatment and follow-up was requested to participant centers. FINDINGS: Overall, 1245 cases were included. Most of them were immigrants (66.9%), and South America was the most frequent area of origin. Detection of larvae in stool samples was observed in 21.9% of the patients, and serological tests allowed making the diagnosis in the rest of the cases. Eosinophilia was present in 82.2% of cases. Treatment with ivermectin (compared with albendazole) was the most strongly associated factor to achieve the cure (OR 2.34). CONCLUSIONS: Given the long latency of the infection and the risk of developing a severe presentation, screening of S. stercoralis infection should be mandatory in patients coming from or had traveling to endemic areas, especially in those with immunosuppressant conditions.

Donor-derived strongyloidiasis after organ transplantation in Norway.

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal helminth which in humans can cause asymptomatic chronic infection maintained for decades through its auto-infective cycle. During solid organ transplantation, recipients may unintentionally receive an organ infected with strongyloides. This is a very rare complication but may have deadly outcome if not detected. We hereby report two transplant recipients whom developed Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome after organ transplantation from the same deceased donor. Recipient 1 was kidney transplanted and presented at day 65 post engraftment with diarrhea and subsequent septicemia and gastric retention. Larvae were detected in gastric aspirate. Recipient 2 was simultaneously kidney and pancreas transplanted and presented at day 90 post engraftment also with gastric retention and septicemia. Larvae were demonstrated on duodenal biopsy and stool sample. The clinical course was complicated with severe duodenal bleedings, gastric retention, meningitis, and prolonged hospitalization. Retrospective testing of pre-transplant donor serum was positive for Strongyloides stercoralis antibodies. As a result of disease severity and gastric retention albenazole was administered via a jejunal tube and ivermectin subcutaneously in both recipients. S stercoralis was successfully eradicated and the transplants ended up with unaffected graft function. Following these two cases, we started systematic screening of all deceased donors for serum Strongyloides IgG in October 2016. After having screened 150 utilized donors one tested positive for Strongyloides, which initiated prophylactic ivermectin treatment to organ recipients. No symptoms or disease developed. Our center will continue to screen all donors as prophylactic treatment may avert this potentially lethal complication in cases of donor-derived Strongyloides infection.

Severe strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis: comorbidity, association or both? Case-based review.

A possible association between strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis is rarely reported in the literature. We report the case of a patient with severe strongyloidiasis and an angiographic finding consistent with polyarteritis nodosa. Diagnosis of strongyloidiasis was made by finding of larvae and adult parasites in samples of the upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa and stool. The patient was treated with albendazole, ivermectin and corticosteroid withdrawal. This therapy led to the resolution of symptoms, with repeated stool samples negative for S. stercoralis. However, the clinical course was complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite tuberculostatic therapy and supportive measures, a lethal outcome occurred. The report is followed by a focused review of the available literature on the association of strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis.

Case Report: Ivermectin and Albendazole Plasma Concentrations in a Patient with Disseminated Strongyloidiasis on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

Disseminated strongyloidiasis is often fatal, despite treatment with oral albendazole and parenteral ivermectin (IVM). Here, we report elevated plasma IVM and albendazole sulfoxide concentrations in the context of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and continuous renal replacement therapy in a patient with disseminated strongyloidiasis treated with subcutaneous IVM and nasogastric albenzadole. Despite elevated drug plasma concentrations, live filariform larvae were detected in endotracheal aspirates after 2 weeks of treatment.

Synchronous MALT lymphoma of the colon and stomach and regression after eradication of Strongyloides stercoralis and Helicobacter pylori.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is vital for host immunological surveillance against pathogens. MALT lymphoma, also known as extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma, is a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma subtype that predominantly arises in the gastrointestinal tract. Chronic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a common cause of gastric MALT lymphoma, although other infections are reported in association with extragastric MALT lymphomas. To our knowledge, here we report the first case of synchronous MALT lymphomas of the colon and stomach in the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis and H. pylori infections that resolved after eradication of both organisms.

Management of severe strongyloidiasis attended at reference centers in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Strongyloides stercoralis is a globally distributed nematode that causes diverse clinical symptoms in humans. Spain, once considered an endemic country, has experienced a recent increase in imported cases. The introduction of serology helps diagnosis and is currently replacing microbiological techniques in some settings, but its sensitivity is variable and can be low in immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis can only be confirmed by identification of larvae. Often, this "gold standard" can only be achieved in severe cases, such as disseminated S.stercoralis infection, or S.stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome, where parasite load is high. In addition, these clinical presentations are not well-defined. Our aim is to describe severe cases of S.stercoralis, their epidemiological profile, and their clinical details. METHODS: An observational retrospective study of disseminated S.stercoralis infection, or hyperinfection syndrome. Inclusion criteria: aged over 18, with a diagnosis of disseminated S.stercoralis infection, or hyperinfection syndrome, confirmed by visualization of larvae. Patients were identified through revision of clinical records for the period 2000-2015, in collaboration with eight reference centers throughout Spain. RESULTS: From the period 2000-2015, eighteen cases were identified, 66.7% of which were male, with a median age of 40 (range 21-70). Most of them were foreigners (94.4%), mainly from Latin America (82.3%) or Western Africa (17.6%). Only one autochthonous case was identified, from 2006. Immunosuppressive conditions were present in fourteen (77%) patients, mainly due steroids use and to retroviral coinfections (four HIV, two HTLV). Transplant preceded the clinical presentation in four of them. Other comorbidities were coinfection with HBV, Trypanosoma cruzi, Mycobacterium leprae or Aspergillus spp. All presented with digestive disorders, with 55.6% also presenting malaise. 44.4% of cases had fever, 27.8% skin complaints, and 16.7% respiratory or neurological disorders. One patient presented anemia, and one other nephrotic syndrome. Diagnosis was confirmed by identification of larvae in fresh stool samples (n = 16; 88.9%), concentration techniques (n = 6; 33.3%), larval culture (n = 5; 29.4%), or digestive biopsies (n = 8; 44%). S.stercoralis forms were identified during necropsy in one case. In addition, ten (55%) had a positive serology. All the cases were treated with ivermectin, six (33%) also received albendazole and one case received thiabendazole followed by ivermectin. All needed inpatient management, involving a mean hospitalization stay of 25 days (range 1-164). Two cases received intensive care and eventually died. CONCLUSIONS: Only eighteen cases of disseminated S.stercoralis infection/hyperinfection syndrome were identified from the 15-year period, most of which were considered to have been imported cases. Among those, immunosuppression was frequent, and mortality due to S.stercoralis was lower than previously described.

Efficacy of Moxidectin Versus Ivermectin Against Strongyloides stercoralis Infections: A Randomized, Controlled Noninferiority Trial.

BACKGROUND: Infections with Strongyloides stercoralis are of considerable public health relevance. Moxidectin, a well-established drug in veterinary medicine under consideration for regulatory submission for the treatment of onchocerciasis, might serve as an alternative to the widely used ivermectin. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory, randomized, single-blind trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of moxidectin (8 mg) vs ivermectin (200 µg/kg) against S. stercoralis infections. Cure rate (CR) against S. stercoralis was the primary outcome. Safety and efficacy against coinfections with soil-transmitted helminths and Opisthorchis viverrini were secondary outcomes. Noninferiority required the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the differences in CRs not exceed 7 percentage points. RESULTS: A total of 127 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to the 2 treatments whereby 1 participant per arm was lost to follow-up. We observed a CR of 93.7% (59/63) for moxidectin compared to 95.2% (59/62) for ivermectin. Differences between CRs were estimated as -1.5% percentage points (95% CI, -9.6 to 6.5), thus the lower limit of the CI exceeds the noninferiority margin of 7 percentage points. No side effects were observed. CRs against hookworm infection were 57% (moxidectin) and 56% (ivermectin). Low efficacy for both drugs against O. viverrini was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Moxidectin might be a safe and efficacious alternative to ivermectin for the treatment of S. stercoralis infection, given that only slight differences in CRs were observed. However, noninferiority could not be demonstrated. Larger clinical trials should be conducted once the drug is marketed. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN11983645.

Ivermectin Treatment and Sanitation Effectively Reduce Strongyloides stercoralis Infection Risk in Rural Communities in Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: Strongyloides stercoralis is the only soil-transmitted helminth with the ability to replicate within its host, leading to long-lasting and potentially fatal infections. It is ubiquitous and its worldwide prevalence has recently been estimated to be at least half that of hookworm. Information on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis remains scarce and modalities for its large-scale control are yet to be determined. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A community-based two-year cohort study was conducted among the general population in a rural province in North Cambodia. At each survey, participants infected with S. stercoralis were treated with a single oral dose of ivermectin (200µg/kg BW). Diagnosis was performed using a combination of the Baermann method and Koga agar plate culture on two stool samples. The cohort included participants from eight villages who were either positive or negative for S. stercoralis at baseline. Mixed logistic regression models were employed to assess risk factors for S. stercoralis infection at baseline and re-infection at follow-up. A total of 3,096 participants were examined at baseline, revealing a S. stercoralis prevalence of 33.1%. Of these participants, 1,269 were followed-up over two years. Re-infection and infection rates among positive and negative participants at baseline were 14.4% and 9.6% at the first and 11.0% and 11.5% at the second follow-up, respectively. At follow-up, all age groups were at similar risk of acquiring an infection, while infection risk significantly decreased with increasing village sanitation coverage. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Chemotherapy-based control of S. stercoralis is feasible and highly beneficial, particularly in combination with improved sanitation. The impact of community-based ivermectin treatment on S. stercoralis was high, with over 85% of villagers remaining negative one year after treatment. The integration of S. stercoralis into existing STH control programs should be considered without further delay.