HTLV-I and Strongyloides in Australia: The worm lurking beneath

Catherine A. Gordon*, Jennifer M. Shield, Richard S. Bradbury, Stephen Muhi, Wendy Page, Jenni A. Judd, Rogan Lee, Beverley Ann Biggs, Kirstin Ross, Johanna Kurscheid, Darren J. Gray, Donald P. McManus

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    12 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Strongyloidiasis and HTLV-I (human T-lymphotropic virus-1) are important infections that are endemic in many countries around the world with an estimated 370 million infected with Strongyloides stercoralis alone, and 5–10 million with HTVL-I. Co-infections with these pathogens are associated with significant morbidity and can be fatal. HTLV-I infects T-cells thus causing dysregulation of the immune system which has been linked to dissemination and hyperinfection of S. stercoralis leading to bacterial sepsis which can result in death. Both of these pathogens are endemic in Australia primarily in remote communities in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Other cases in Australia have occurred in immigrants and refugees, returned travellers, and Australian Defence Force personnel. HTLV-I infection is lifelong with no known cure. Strongyloidiasis is a long-term chronic disease that can remain latent for decades, as shown by infections diagnosed in prisoners of war from World War II and the Vietnam War testing positive decades after they returned from these conflicts. This review aims to shed light on concomitant infections of HTLV-I with S. stercoralis primarily in Australia but in the global context as well.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAdvances in Parasitology
    EditorsDavid Rollinson, J. Russell Stothard
    PublisherAcademic Press
    Pages119-201
    Number of pages83
    ISBN (Print)9780128246030
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2021

    Publication series

    NameAdvances in Parasitology
    Volume111
    ISSN (Print)0065-308X

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