1. Human intestinal parasitic infection: a narrative review on global prevalence and epidemiological insights on preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for future perspectives
- Author
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Calvin Bok Sun Goh, Kuan Shion Ong, Jun Rong Khoo, Jia Wei Hor, Li Wen Wong, and Sui Mae Lee
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Developing country ,Intestinal parasitic infection ,Global Health ,Risk Assessment ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Predictive Value of Tests ,Risk Factors ,Water Supply ,hemic and lymphatic diseases ,Environmental health ,Epidemiology ,Prevalence ,Global health ,medicine ,Humans ,Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic ,Risk factor ,Anthelmintics ,Hepatology ,business.industry ,Gastroenterology ,Hygiene ,Prognosis ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Communicable Disease Control ,Parasitology ,030211 gastroenterology & hepatology ,Narrative review ,business - Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infection (IPI) is a global health concern among socioeconomically deprived communities in many developing countries. Many preventative strategies have been deployed to control IPI, however, there is a lack in standards on the techniques used to diagnose and monitor the prevalence of IPI.The present article will review the diseases associated with IPI and discuss the current IPI control strategies such as the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, community-led total sanitation (CLTS) approach, and regular anthelminthic treatments. For the first time, this review will also evaluate all currently practised diagnostic techniques for the detection of intestinal parasites and provide insights on future IPI control strategies.Advanced and improved diagnostic methods such as qPCR coupled with a high-resolution melting curve, aptamers, biosensors, and detection of extracellular vesicles can be used for detection of IPI. Vaccination against intestinal parasites can be made available to increase antibodies to interfere with the blood-feeding process by the parasites, which subsequently reduces the reproductive rates of the parasites. These methods collectively can serve as future management strategies for intestinal parasitic infections.
- Published
- 2020
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