ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We undertook an observational follow-up study of schistosomiasis serology in both travelers and immigrants in a nonendemic country to determine the natural history of schistosomiasis antibody titer post-adequate treatment in those who have not been reexposed. METHODS: Longitudinal study of all adult travelers and immigrants presenting to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia with positive schistosomiasis serology (titer >1: 64) between July 1995 and December 2005. All patients were treated with praziquantel and followed up clinically and serologically for a period up to 30 months. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were included in the study including 26 travelers and 32 immigrants. Antibody titers often increased in the first 6 to 12 months post-treatment, especially in immigrants. After 30 months of post-treatment, 68% of travelers and 35% of immigrants (p < 0.01) achieved a fourfold antibody decline. CONCLUSIONS: Schistosomiasis antibody titers varied after adequate treatment. Therefore an increase in titer in the first 6 to 12 months or a failure to reduce after 3 years should not automatically justify re-treatment.
Subject(s)
Emigration and Immigration , Schistosomiasis/epidemiology , Travel , Adult , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Australia/epidemiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Praziquantel/therapeutic use , Schistosomiasis/blood , Schistosomiasis/drug therapy , Statistics, Nonparametric , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Wild poliovirus-associated paralytic poliomyelitis has not been reported in Australia since 1977. We report type 1 wild poliovirus infection in a man who had traveled from Pakistan to Australia in 2007. Poliomyelitis should be considered for patients with acute flaccid paralysis or unexplained fever who have been to poliomyelitis-endemic countries.
