Effectiveness of Ivermectin treatment among adult patients infected with Strongyloides stercoralis in East Gojam zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Strongyloidiasis caused by the parasite Strongyloides stercoralis, is a significant public health issue, particularly in low-income countries with inadequate sanitation practices. Ivermectin is the recommended drug by the World Health Organization for treating S. stercoralis infection, but its efficacy in Ethiopia has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Ivermectin treatment for S. stercoralis infection in adult patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in government hospitals in northwest Ethiopia from June 2022 to February 2024. A total of 190 patients confirmed to be infected with S. stercoralis were treated with Ivermectin (200 µg/kg) for two days. Stool samples were collected two weeks after treatment and analyzed using parasitological concentration techniques. RESULTS: The cure rate was 90% among the treated individuals, demonstrating a significant reduction in the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection. Among the cases that were not cured, the majority were older individuals, with a higher proportion (66.8%) residing in rural areas. A small number of non-cured individuals experienced persistent symptoms after treatment. All individuals who successfully cleared the infection were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: The study found a 90% cure rate for the current 2-day Ivermectin treatment regimen (200 µg/kg) against Strongyloides stercoralis in Ethiopia, suggesting the recommended strategy is appropriate. Age, residential area, and other factors have been found to influence treatment outcomes, warranting further investigation into potential resistance factors and optimizing treatment for different populations.