The status of strongyloidiasis in the Mediterranean countries

Abstract

Strongyloidiasis is considered one of the most serious parasitic infections globally, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease's public health significance is substantial, as the infection can remain dormant for decades in the host and may be activated as hyperinfection after immunity dysregulation caused by immunosuppression. Strongyloides stercoralis infection is prevalent in tropical regions, whereas cases are usually reported sporadically in non-tropical countries and are estimated to cause asymptomatic chronic infection in 600 million people worldwide. Strongyloidiasis remains neglected in many Mediterranean countries, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness among healthcare providers, especially regarding possible carriers returning from endemic regions.

This narrative review updates the status of S. stercoralis and its corresponding disease in the Mediterranean countries. This article searched internet databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE for Strongyloidiasis studies and cases published over the last ten years in the Mediterranean countries.

Strongyloidiasis remains neglected in many Mediterranean countries, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness among healthcare providers, especially regarding possible carriers returning from endemic regions.