Integration of diagnostics for Strongyloides stercoralis into the soil-transmitted helminths control programme in Rwanda

Eliah Shema, Francesca Tamarozzi, Jean Bosco Mbonigaba, Salvatore Scarso, Cristina Mazzi, Paul Gasana, Benon Turatsinze, Leonard Uwayezu, Delphine Mukamigambi, Henri Desire Uwayo, Noel Gahamanyi, Ladislas Nshimiyimana, Nadine Rujeni and Dora Buonfrate ()
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Eliah Shema: University of Rwanda
Francesca Tamarozzi: Negrar di Valpolicella
Jean Bosco Mbonigaba: Ministry of Health
Salvatore Scarso: Negrar di Valpolicella
Cristina Mazzi: Negrar di Valpolicella
Paul Gasana: University of Rwanda
Benon Turatsinze: University of Rwanda
Leonard Uwayezu: Ministry of Health
Delphine Mukamigambi: Ministry of Health
Henri Desire Uwayo: Rwanda Biomedical Centre
Noel Gahamanyi: Rwanda Biomedical Centre
Ladislas Nshimiyimana: Ministry of Health
Nadine Rujeni: University of Rwanda
Dora Buonfrate: Negrar di Valpolicella

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The WHO recently issued guidelines for public health control of Strongyloides stercoralis in endemic areas. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing the WHO recommendations in Rwanda, and our secondary objective was to estimate S. stercoralis prevalence. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in two Rwandan districts (Gisagara and Rubavu) including a training session focused on diagnostics for S. stercoralis: parasitological assays (Baermann and agar plate culture, APC) and a novel rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Technicians’ perceptions of each assay were evaluated via a questionnaire; 1,415 individuals were screened. A critical aspect of the parasitological assays was the length of training, but there was no issues with RDT implementation. Based on the combination of Baermann and APC diagnostics, prevalence was 1.1% (95% CI 0.5–2.3) in Gisagara, and 3.9% (95% CI 2.6–5.7) in Rubavu, which was similar for the RDT. Overall, we found the implementation of S. stercoralis-specific tests was feasible, though intense training was crucial.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63715-5

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