A general and epidemiological overview of strongyloidiasis in Brazil

Abstract

Strongyloidiasis, caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, is a neglected parasitic disease and a major global public health issue. This infection exhibits diverse clinical manifestations that, along with the high rates of asymptomatic cases and low-sensitivity diagnostic methods, contribute to the underreporting of the disease. With an estimated 600 million people infected worldwide, this disease is particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions with poor sanitary conditions, which includes Brazil. Understanding the epidemiology of the disease is essential for the development of control strategies, but the lack of comprehensive data makes it difficult to identify the real impact of the infection, thus leading to underreporting and a lack of awareness of its severity on public health. Given this scenario, this literature review aimed to summarize the reported prevalence and associated factors of strongyloidiasis in Brazil. A total of 33 articles published between 2005 and 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and LiLacs databases using keywords related to strongyloidiasis in Brazil. The data collected in this review indicate that the majority of the published studies are concentrated in the Southeast region of Brazil, with the state of Minas Gerais accounting for the highest number of publications. It was also observed that the prevalence of strongyloidiasis is underestimated due to diagnostic challenges and high rates of false negatives, especially among asymptomatic patients. In addition, the scarcity of specific studies on the disease in Brazil limits the understanding of its true incidence, underscoring the need for further research.

Keywords: Strongyloides stercoralis; epidemiology; neglected tropical diseases.