Helminth infections in the US military: from strongyloidiasis to schistosomiasis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Helminth infections caused by parasitic worms, including nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes), can cause chronic symptoms and serious clinical outcomes if left untreated. The US military frequently conducts activities in helminth-endemic regions, particularly Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. However, the military does not currently screen for these infections, and to date, no comprehensive surveillance studies have been completed to assess the frequency of helminth diagnoses in the military personnel and their families.

Methods

To determine the burden of helminth infections in the US Military Health System (MHS), we conducted a retrospective analysis of International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9/10 diagnosis codes f

SUBMITTER: Lindrose AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8393690 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature