Persistent and untreated tropical infectious diseases among Sudanese refugees in the United States

Abstract

A comprehensive medical evaluation to identify persistent and untreated tropical infections among members of the Sudanese group "Lost Boys of Sudan" living in Atlanta, GA, was initiated. Medical examinations and laboratory testing including blood cell counts, liver function tests, stool studies for parasites, hepatitis B serologies, and serologic testing for Schistosoma spp., Strongyloides, and filariae were performed. Preliminary results showed a high prevalence of untreated active schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis infections in this group, 5 years after their resettlement in the United States. In addition, we found that many of them were infected with onchocerciasis and hepatitis B. We suggest that based on these preliminary results, pre-departure presumptive treatment and/or testing algorithms need to address some of these persistent tropical infections.