Prevalence and risk factors of Strongyloides stercoralis in haemodialysis in Cochabamba, Bolivia: a cross-sectional study

Background Strongyloidiasis is an infectious disease that can be fatal in immunocompromised patients. Patients with end-stage renal failure who are on dialysis have a considerably weakened immune system, and organ transplantation is a major risk factor for severe strongyloidiasis. Knowledge of the local epidemiology in tropical and subtropical areas is an essential prerequisite for designing an appropriate strategy to prevent this potentially lethal complication. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of S. stercoralis infection in patients on dialysis in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among patients undergoing haemodialysis in Cochabamba (elevation 2,500 m, temperate climate), collecting information on socio-demographic, lifestyle, and clinical variables, and using one coproparasitological technique (the modified Baermann technique) and one serological (ELISA) test for S.stercoralis diagnosis. Results In total, 149 patients participated in the study (mean age = 51.4 years, 48.3% male). End-stage renal disease was predominantly (59%) of hypertensive and/or diabetic origin. The positive serological prevalence was 18.8% (95% CI: 13.3%–25.9%). Based on the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test, the estimate of the actual prevalence was 15.1% (95% CI: 9.4%–20.7%). Stool samples of 105 patients (70.5%) showed a coproparasitological prevalence of 1.9% (95% CI: 0.52%–6.68%). No potential risk factors were significantly associated with S. stercoralis infection. Conclusions We found a high seroprevalence of S. stercoralis in Bolivian patients undergoing haemodialysis in Cochabamba. We recommend presumptive antiparasitic treatment at regular intervals to avoid the potentially fatal complications of severe strongyloidiasis.