IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/plo/pntd00/0001621.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Soil-Transmitted Helminth Reinfection after Drug Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Tie-Wu Jia
  • Sara Melville
  • Jürg Utzinger
  • Charles H King
  • Xiao-Nong Zhou

Abstract

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections (i.e., Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura) affect more than a billion people. Preventive chemotherapy (i.e., repeated administration of anthelmintic drugs to at-risk populations), is the mainstay of control. This strategy, however, does not prevent reinfection. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess patterns and dynamics of STH reinfection after drug treatment. Methodology: We systematically searched PubMed, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Google Scholar. Information on study year, country, sample size, age of participants, diagnostic method, drug administration strategy, prevalence and intensity of infection pre- and posttreatment, cure and egg reduction rate, evaluation period posttreatment, and adherence was extracted. Pooled risk ratios from random-effects models were used to assess the risk of STH reinfection after treatment. Our protocol is available on PROSPERO, registration number: CRD42011001678. Principal Findings: From 154 studies identified, 51 were included and 24 provided STH infection rates pre- and posttreatment, whereas 42 reported determinants of predisposition to reinfection. At 3, 6, and 12 months posttreatment, A. lumbricoides prevalence reached 26% (95% confidence interval (CI): 16–43%), 68% (95% CI: 60–76%) and 94% (95% CI: 88–100%) of pretreatment levels, respectively. For T. trichiura, respective reinfection prevalence were 36% (95% CI: 28–47%), 67% (95% CI: 42–100%), and 82% (95% CI: 62–100%), and for hookworm, 30% (95% CI: 26–34%), 55% (95% CI: 34–87%), and 57% (95% CI: 49–67%). Prevalence and intensity of reinfection were positively correlated with pretreatment infection status. Conclusion: STH reinfections occur rapidly after treatment, particularly for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Hence, there is a need for frequent anthelmintic drug administrations to maximize the benefit of preventive chemotherapy. Integrated control approaches emphasizing health education and environmental sanitation are needed to interrupt transmission of STH. Author Summary: Infections with soil-transmitted helminths (the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, the whipworm Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm) affect over 1 billion people, particularly rural communities in the developing world. The global strategy to control soil-transmitted helminth infections is ‘preventive chemotherapy’, which means large-scale administration of anthelmintic drugs to at-risk populations. However, because reinfection occurs after treatment, ‘preventive chemotherapy’ must be repeated regularly. Our systematic review and meta-analysis found that at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, A. lumbricoides prevalence reached 26% (95% confidence interval (CI): 16–43%), 68% (95% CI: 60–76%) and 94% (95% CI: 88–100%) of pretreatment levels, respectively. For T. trichiura, respective reinfection prevalence at these time points were 36% (95% CI: 28–47%), 67% (95% CI: 42–100%), and 82% (95% CI: 62–100%); and for hookworm, 30% (95% CI: 26–34%), 55% (95% CI: 34–87%), and 57% (95% CI: 49–67%). Prevalence and intensity of reinfection were positively correlated with pretreatment infection status. Our results suggest a frequent anthelmintic drug administration to maximize the benefit of preventive chemotherapy. Moreover, an integrated control strategy, consisting of preventive chemotherapy combined with health education and environmental sanitation is needed to interrupt transmission of soil-transmitted helminths.

Suggested Citation

  • Tie-Wu Jia & Sara Melville & Jürg Utzinger & Charles H King & Xiao-Nong Zhou, 2012. "Soil-Transmitted Helminth Reinfection after Drug Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(5), pages 1-11, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pntd00:0001621
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001621
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0001621
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0001621&type=printable
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001621?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kathrin Ziegelbauer & Benjamin Speich & Daniel Mäusezahl & Robert Bos & Jennifer Keiser & Jürg Utzinger, 2012. "Effect of Sanitation on Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mikhael D. Manurung & Friederike Sonnet & Marie-Astrid Hoogerwerf & Jacqueline J. Janse & Yvonne Kruize & Laura de Bes-Roeleveld & Marion König & Alex Loukas & Benjamin G. Dewals & Taniawati Supali & , 2024. "Controlled human hookworm infection remodels plasmacytoid dendritic cells and regulatory T cells towards profiles seen in natural infections in endemic areas," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Birgit Nikolay & Charles S Mwandawiro & Jimmy H Kihara & Collins Okoyo & Jorge Cano & Mariam T Mwanje & Hadley Sultani & Dorcas Alusala & Hugo C Turner & Caroline Teti & Josh Garn & Matthew C Freeman , 2015. "Understanding Heterogeneity in the Impact of National Neglected Tropical Disease Control Programmes: Evidence from School-Based Deworming in Kenya," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(9), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Jing Su & Da-Bing Lu & Xia Zhou & Su-Rong Wang & Hong-Xiang Zhuge, 2013. "Control Efficacy of Annual Community-Wide Treatment against Schistosoma japonicum in China: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(11), pages 1-9, November.
    4. Amy J. Pickering & Sammy M. Njenga & Lauren Steinbaum & Jenna Swarthout & Audrie Lin & Benjamin F. Arnold & Christine P. Stewart & Holly N. Dentz & MaryAnne Mureithi & Benard Chieng & Marlene Wolfe & , "undated". "Effects of Single and Integrated Water, Sanitation, Handwashing, and Nutrition Interventions on Child Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Giardia Infections: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial in Rural K," Mathematica Policy Research Reports b056c901c24c4dad92672a0eb, Mathematica Policy Research.
    5. Aisha Ummi Jibrin Isah & Obinna Ikechukwu Ekwunife & Izuchukwu Loveth Ejie & Olena Mandrik, 2020. "Effects of nutritional supplements on the re-infection rate of soil-transmitted helminths in school-age children: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tu Vu-Van & Phuc Pham-Duc & Mirko S. Winkler & Christian Zurbrügg & Jakob Zinsstag & Huong Thi Thanh & Tran Huu Bich & Hung Nguyen-Viet, 2017. "Ascaris lumbricoides egg die-off in an experimental excreta storage system and public health implication in Vietnam," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 62(1), pages 103-111, February.
    2. Behera, Bhagirath & Rahut, Dil Bahadur & Sethi, Narayan, 2020. "Analysis of household access to drinking water, sanitation, and waste disposal services in urban areas of Nepal," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    3. Claire F. Brereton & Paul Jagals, 2021. "Applications of Systems Science to Understand and Manage Multiple Influences within Children’s Environmental Health in Least Developed Countries: A Causal Loop Diagram Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-23, March.
    4. World Bank, 2020. "Assessing Public Financing for Nutrition in Sri Lanka (2014–2018)," World Bank Publications - Reports 33419, The World Bank Group.
    5. Dean Spears & Arabinda Ghosh & Oliver Cumming, 2013. "Open Defecation and Childhood Stunting in India: An Ecological Analysis of New Data from 112 Districts," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(9), pages 1-1, September.
    6. Cameron, Lisa & Chase, Claire & Haque, Sabrina & Joseph, George & Pinto, Rebekah & Wang, Qiao, 2021. "Childhood stunting and cognitive effects of water and sanitation in Indonesia," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    7. Boyuan Chen & Sohee Shin & Ming Wu & Zhihui Liu, 2022. "Visualizing the Knowledge Domain in Health Education: A Scientometric Analysis Based on CiteSpace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-23, May.
    8. Aizawa, Toshiaki, 2021. "Inequality of opportunity in infant mortality in South Asia: A decomposition analysis of survival data," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    9. Crawshaw, Lauren & Fèvre, Sonia & Kaesombath, Lampheuy & Sivilai, Bounlerth & Boulom, Sayvisene & Southammavong, Fongsamouth, 2014. "Lessons from an Integrated Community Health Education Initiative in Rural Laos," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 487-502.
    10. Pritam Ghosh & Moslem Hossain & Asraful Alam, 2022. "Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) poverty in India: A district‐level geospatial assessment," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(2), pages 396-416, April.
    11. Ashrita Saran & Howard White & Kerry Albright & Jill Adona, 2020. "Mega‐map of systematic reviews and evidence and gap maps on the interventions to improve child well‐being in low‐ and middle‐income countries," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), December.
    12. Derek Headey & Giordano Palloni, 2019. "Water, Sanitation, and Child Health: Evidence From Subnational Panel Data in 59 Countries," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(2), pages 729-752, April.
    13. Dongjian Yang & Ya Yang & Yingjian Wang & Yu Yang & Shurong Dong & Yue Chen & Qingwu Jiang & Yibiao Zhou, 2018. "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Ascaris lumbricoides , Trichuris trichiura and Cryptosporidium Infections in Elementary School Children in Southwestern China: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, August.
    14. Stephen Sara & Jay Graham, 2014. "Ending Open Defecation in Rural Tanzania: Which Factors Facilitate Latrine Adoption?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-17, September.
    15. Aisha Ummi Jibrin Isah & Obinna Ikechukwu Ekwunife & Izuchukwu Loveth Ejie & Olena Mandrik, 2020. "Effects of nutritional supplements on the re-infection rate of soil-transmitted helminths in school-age children: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, August.
    16. Cameron, Lisa & Gertler, Paul & Shah, Manisha & Alzua, Maria Laura & Martinez, Sebastian & Patil, Sumeet, 2022. "The dirty business of eliminating open defecation: The effect of village sanitation on child height from field experiments in four countries," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    17. Basilua Andre Muzembo & Kei Kitahara & Anusuya Debnath & Ayumu Ohno & Keinosuke Okamoto & Shin-Ichi Miyoshi, 2022. "Cholera Outbreaks in India, 2011–2020: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-27, May.
    18. Akina Shrestha & Subodh Sharma & Jana Gerold & Séverine Erismann & Sanjay Sagar & Rajendra Koju & Christian Schindler & Peter Odermatt & Jürg Utzinger & Guéladio Cissé, 2017. "Water Quality, Sanitation, and Hygiene Conditions in Schools and Households in Dolakha and Ramechhap Districts, Nepal: Results from A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-21, January.
    19. Artwell Kanda & Esper Jacobeth Ncube & Kuku Voyi, 2021. "Effect of Sanitation Interventions on Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trials in Rural Communities of Low- and Middle-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-16, August.
    20. Birgit Nikolay & Charles S Mwandawiro & Jimmy H Kihara & Collins Okoyo & Jorge Cano & Mariam T Mwanje & Hadley Sultani & Dorcas Alusala & Hugo C Turner & Caroline Teti & Josh Garn & Matthew C Freeman , 2015. "Understanding Heterogeneity in the Impact of National Neglected Tropical Disease Control Programmes: Evidence from School-Based Deworming in Kenya," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(9), pages 1-20, September.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:plo:pntd00:0001621. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: plosntds (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.