Hideo Hasegawa

Bio: Hideo Hasegawa is an academic researcher from University of the Ryukyus. The author has contributed to research in topics: Necator americanus & Trichuris trichiura. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 37 publications receiving 461 citations.

A new method to detect strongyloides stercoralis from human stool

Abstract: A new method for the detection of Strongyloides larvae was established. A small amount of stool was placed in the center of an agar plate and was incubated at 37°C for 24 hr. Characteristically aligned bacterial colonies or furrows left by crawling Strongyloides larvae appeared on the agar surface are the positive findings. The larvae gathered in a well made on positive plate were identified. By using this method, Strongyloides was detected in 46 cases (4.5%) out of 1, 017 healthy adults. Whereas, it was detected in 0 and 3 cases (0 and 0.3%) by direct stool smear method and filter paper technique, respectively. Examination of 246 cases by this agar plate method and formalinether method (MGL) revealed that 14 cases (5.7%) were positive by the former and 2 cases (0.8%) by the latter. Agar plate method is not laborious nor expensive, and recommendable for mass examination and for the detection of asymptomatic carriers.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in five farms in Holambra, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract: Uma pesquisa coproparasitologica foi realizada em 222 habitantes de cinco fazendas de Holambra, localizada a 30 km ao norte de Campinas, SP, Brasil, em outubro de 1992. Aproximadamente 70% dos habitantes apresentaram pelo menos um tipo de parasitose intestinal. O indice de positividade das 6 especies de helmintos e de 7 protozoarios na populacao foi o seguinte: Ascaris lumbricoides (5,4%); Trichuris trichiura (8,6%); Necator americanus (19,8%); Strongyloides stercoralis (10,4%); Enterobius vermiculares (1,4%); Hymenolepis nana (0,9%); Entamoeba histolytica (3,2%); E. hartmanni (2,7%); E. coli (9,9%); Endolimax nana (14,0%); Iodamoeba butschlii (2,3%); Giardia lamblia (10,4%); Blastocystis hominis (37,4%). O indice de positividade para infeccao por helmitos foi aparentemente maior na populacao mais jovem (menores de 16 anos) do que no grupo de populacao com idades acima de 16 anos, ao contrario do indice de infeccao pelos protozoarios que foi mais elevado na populacao adulta. Utilizando um novo e sensivel metodo atraves de cultura em agar, encontrou-se um indice de infeccao de 10.4% para Strongyloides sp.

A parasitological survey on the feces of pygmy chimpanzees,Pan paniscus, at Wamba, Zaïre

Abstract: A parasitological examination was carried out on the feces of pygmy chimpanzees,Pan paniscus, in Zaire, Africa. Of a total of 390 feces, 99.0% containedTroglodytella sp. trophozoites, 45.1% dicrocoeliid trematode eggs, 21.0%Capillaria sp. eggs, 3.3%Trichuris sp. eggs, 52.9%Strongyloides sp. eggs, 17.9%Oesophagostomum sp. eggs, 21.0% hookworm-like nematode eggs and 6.2% oxyurid eggs. No zoonotic protozoan was found. This is the first survey on the parasites of the pygmy chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

Studies on prevalence of Strongyloides infection in Holambra and Maceió, Brazil, by the agar plate faecal culture method

Abstract: Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in three areas of Brazil was surveyed by a recently developed faecal culture method (an agar plate culture). The Strongyloides infection was confirmed in 11.3% of 432 subjects examined. The diagnostic efficacy of the agar plate culture was as high as 93.9% compared to only 28.5% and 26.5% by the Harada-Mori filter paper culture and faecal concentration methods, when faecal samples were examined simultaneously by these three methods. Among the 49 positive samples, about 60% were confirmed to be positive only by the agar plate culture. These results indicate that the agar plate culture is a sensitive new tool for the correct diagnosis of chronic Strongyloides infection.

Questionnaire survey and prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections in Barru, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Abstract: A questionnaire survey with parasitological study was carried out on the inhabitants of 4 villages in Barru district, Sulawesi, Indonesia from 1994 to 1995. The questionnaire dealt with life style and sanitary conditions. In 482 houses in the 4 villages, interviews for the items of the questionnaire were conducted with the owner, housekeeper and children of the same family. In Pancana and Lalolang, 37.7% and 50% respectively of man inhabitants surveyed were fishermen, while in Lompo Riaja and Pattappa, 38.6% and 65.5% respectively were farmers. The highest proportion of official workers was 33.7% in Lompo Riaja. Educational level was low; 88.4% in Pancana, 90.4% in Lalolang, 62.1% in Lompo Riaja and 91.2% in Pattappa had elementary or below elementary school education. In Lompo Riaja, 30.8% of the inhabitants graduated from senior high school or university. The percentage of families having their own latrine was 30.3% in Pancana, 13.2% in Lalolang, 31.9% in Pattapa and 60% in Lompo Riaja. The people without latrines usually defecated in rice fields, seaside or riverside. A total of 654 fecal samples was examined by the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method. Five nematode species, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis and unidentified Rhabditoids of free-living nature were detected. Cestode, Hymenolepis nana infection was confirmed. All the hookworms examined by the modified Harada-Mori culture technic were Necator americanus. Trichuris infection was most common, followed by hookworm and Ascaris infections, both in young (aged 4-14) and older (aged over 15) age groups. The prevalence of hookworm infection was significantly higher in males than in females of older age. Among the older age group, the prevalence of Trichuris infection was significantly lower in Lompo Riaja, while hookworm infection was the highest in Pattappa. Among all the inhabitants examined for parasite infection, 17.4% had 3 kinds of nematode, Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm. However, egg counts revealed that most of the inhabitants with Trichuris or hookworm had light infections. The inhabitants with higher education background had significantly lower infection rates of Ascaris and Trichuris. The prevalence of hookworm infection was not significantly different between the inhabitants owning latrine and without it, but the prevalence of Ascaris and Trichuris, differed significantly.

Strongyloides stercoralis: Global Distribution and Risk Factors.

Abstract: The soil-transmitted threadworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, is one of the most neglected among the so-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). We reviewed studies of the last 20 years on S. stercoralis's global prevalence in general populations and risk groups.; A literature search was performed in PubMed for articles published between January 1989 and October 2011. Articles presenting information on infection prevalence were included. A Bayesian meta-analysis was carried out to obtain country-specific prevalence estimates and to compare disease odds ratios in different risk groups taking into account the sensitivities of the diagnostic methods applied. A total of 354 studies from 78 countries were included for the prevalence calculations, 194 (62.4%) were community-based studies, 121 (34.2%) were hospital-based studies and 39 (11.0%) were studies on refugees and immigrants. World maps with country data are provided. In numerous African, Asian and South-American resource-poor countries, information on S. stercoralis is lacking. The meta-analysis showed an association between HIV-infection/alcoholism and S. stercoralis infection (OR: 2.17 BCI: 1.18-4.01; OR: 6.69; BCI: 1.47-33.8), respectively.; Our findings show high infection prevalence rates in the general population in selected countries and geographical regions. S. stercoralis infection is prominent in several risk groups. Adequate information on the prevalence is still lacking from many countries. However, current information underscore that S. stercoralis must not be neglected. Further assessments in socio-economic and ecological settings are needed and integration into global helminth control is warranted.

Effect of Sanitation on Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Background In countries of high endemicity of the soil-transmitted helminth parasites Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm, preventive chemotherapy (i.e., repeated administration of anthelmintic drugs to at-risk populations) is the main strategy to control morbidity. However, rapid reinfection of humans occurs after successful deworming, and therefore effective preventive measures are required to achieve public health goals with optimal efficiency and sustainability.

The laboratory diagnosis and follow up of strongyloidiasis: a systematic review.

Abstract: Background Strongyloidiasis is frequently under diagnosed since many infections remain asymptomatic and conventional diagnostic tests based on parasitological examination are not sufficiently sensitive. Serology is useful but is still only available in reference laboratories. The need for improved diagnostic tests in terms of sensitivity and specificity is clear, particularly in immunocompromised patients or candidates to immunosuppressive treatments. This review aims to evaluate both conventional and novel techniques for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis as well as available cure markers for this parasitic infection.

Strongyloides stercoralis: A Plea for Action

Abstract: Strongyloidiasis remains an underestimated public health problem, just as it was at the dawn of last century.

The public health importance of hookworm disease.

Abstract: The public health significance of hookworm disease is briefly reviewed. The latest evidence confirms that blood loss caused by the worms' feeding activity in the gut is a contributing factor in the development of poor iron status leading to iron-deficiency anaemia. The World Health Organization has identified adolescent girls and women of child-bearing age as high-risk groups regarding the impact of hookworm disease. The merits of treating pregnant women with anthelminthic drugs after the first trimester are discussed.