Epidemiology of Helminthic Infections and Phylogenetic Tree of Strongyloides stercoralis in Rubber Tree Plantation in Lower Northern Part of Thailand
Abstract
Background: Helminthic infections cause helminthiasis, including infections by Strongyloides stercoralis, a kind of helminths that cause reinfection and lead to severe infections, can be transmitted through the soil. We aimed to identify S. stercoralis and other helminthic infections in rubber tree plantations in Thailand's lower northern regions. The specific goals include assessing prevalence using Formalin Ethyl–acetate Concentration Technique (FECT) and Agar Plate Culture (APC) and constructing S. stercoralis phylogenetic tree.
Methods: Overall, 646 fecal samples from rubber plantation workers in five provinces in northern Thailand were examined using FECT and APC under microscope. DNA from larvae confirmed as Strongyloides spp. by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The DNA sequences were also submitted to the GenBank database.
Results: Prevalence of helminthic infections was 8.82%, with soil transmitted helminths (STH) prevalence at 6.81%; S. stercoralis accounted for 5.41%, with Ascaris lumbricoides at 0.62%, hookworm 0.46%, and T. trichiura 0.31%. PCR analysis successfully amplified the 18S rRNA gene in 26 out of 34 genomic DNAs, indicating a detection rate of 70.59%. Sequencing of these PCR products identified S. stercoralis strains closely related to those reported in the Republic of Lao, Myanmar, and Japan, suggesting genetic diversity within the species.
Conclusion: STH prevalence, predominantly S. stercoralis, highlights public health concerns in rubber plantation areas, necessitating enhanced monitoring and intervention strategies. Phylogenetic analysis of S. stercoralis, revealing a close genetic relationship among strains from various Southeast Asian countries, which underscores potential patterns of transmission and evolutionary relationships in the regions.
2. World Health Organization. Soil-transmitted helminthiases. WHOWeb.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections. Accessded 18 January 2023.
3. Muennoo C, Rojekittikhun W, Maipanich W. Past and Present Status of Soil transmitted Helminthiases in Thailand. J Trop Med Parasitol. 2006; 29(1): 37-42.
4. Wongsaroj T, Phatihatakorn W, Ramasoota P, Anamnart W, Kaewpoonsri N, Chiewchanyon B. Epidemiological study of strongyloidiasis in southern Thailand, 2007. J Trop Med Parasitol. 2008; 31:6–13.
5. Rachaneeporn C, Worawong C. Strongyloidiasis. BJM. 2022; 9 (1): 116-131.
6. Buonfrate D, Bisanzio D, Giorli G, et al. The global prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection. Pathogens. 2020;9(6): 468.
7. Somaphone C, Rahel W, Marie R, et al. Strongyloides stercoralis prevalence and diagnostics in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Infect Dis Poverty. 2020; 9: 133.
8. Sayan S, Sopon R. Impact of Climate Change on Smallholders’ Rubber Production in Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand The 2012 International and National Conference For The SustainableCommunity Development of “Local Community : The Foundation of Development in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)”. 2012;16-19.
9. Nithita S. Impacts of the Government Para-Rubber Policies on Para-Rubber Plantations in Thailand. Research and Development Journal Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. 2019; 11:2.
10. Hasegawa H, Hayashida S, Ikeda Y, Sato H. Hyper-variable regions in 18S rDNA of Strongyloides spp. as markers for species-specific diagnosis. Parasitol Res. 2009; 104:869– 874.
11. Wongsaroja T, Choosak N, Wichit R, Worayut N, Louis R, Pongroma R. National survey of helminthiasis in Thailand. Asian Biomedicine. 2014; 8(6):779 – 783.
12. Wattanawong O, Iamsirithaworn S, Kophachon T, et al. Current status of helminthiases in Thailand: A cross-sectional, nationwide survey, 2019. Acta Trop. 2021; 22(3):106082. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.
13. Ratee K, Nonthapan P, Parnpen V, Chuchard P. Prevalence of soil-transmitted
helminth infections and associated risk factors among elderly individuals living in rural areas of southern Thailand. BMC Public Health. 2020; 20:1882.
14. Sedionoto B, Wasessombat S, Punsawad C, Anamnart W. Diagnosis and prevalence of hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infections among schoolchildren in rural southern Thailand. Walailak Procedia. 2019; 1(IC4IR): 101.
15. Wisetmora A, Wattanawong O, Wijit A, et al. Gastrointestinal Helminthic Infection among the Population in Northern Thailand. Acta Parasitol. 2024; Sep;69(3):1648-1660. doi: 10.1007/s11686-024-00892-1.
16. Borrás P, Pérez MG, Repetto S, et al. First identification of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a pet dog in Argentina, using integrated diagnostic approaches. Parasit Vectors. 2023; Oct 27;16(1):389. doi:10.1186/s13071-023-06022-6. PMID: 37891629
17. Laymanivong S, Hangvanthong B, Insisiengmay B, et al. First molecular identification and report of genetic diversity of Strongyloides stercoralis, a current major soil-transmitted helminth in humans from Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Parasitol Res. 2016; 115: 2973-2980.
18. Marra NM, Chiuso-Minicucci F, Machado G, Zorzella-Pezavento SF, França TG, IshikawaLL. Faecal examination and PCR to detect Strongyloides venezuelensis in experimentally infected Lewis rats. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 2012;105:57–61.
19. Uparanukraw P, Phongsri S, Morakote N. Fluctuations of larval excretion in Strongyloides stercoralis infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1999; 60:967-73.
20. Fabian S, Ulf T, Federica G, et al. Strongyloides stercoralis: Global Distribution and Risk Factors. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2013 Jul 11;7(7):e2288. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.
Files | ||
Issue | Vol 20 No 1 (2025) | |
Section | Original Article(s) | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18111 | |
Keywords | ||
Epidemiology Phylogenetic analysis Rubber tree plantation Strongyloides stercoralis |
Rights and permissions | |
![]() |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |