Spectrum of infectious diseases among newly arrived Eritrean refugees in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

摘要

Abstract Objectives Our study aimed at determining the prevalence of selected infectious diseases among recently arrived Eritrean refugees in Switzerland. Methods In this cross-sectional study, asymptomatic Eritrean migrants aged ≥16?years who arrived Results Among 107 participating Eritrean refugees, point-of-care CCA urine test for Schistosoma mansoni was positive in 43 patients (40.2%; 95% CI 31.9–49.5). Stool microscopy detected eggs of S. mansoni in 23 (21.5%; 95% CI 13.7–29.3), Hymenolepis nana in 11 (10.3%; 95% CI 4.5–16.0), and cysts of Giardia intestinalis in 7 participants (6.5%: 95% CI 1.9–11.2). Two tested positive for hepatitis B (1.9%; 95% CI 0.0–4.4) and one for syphilis (0.9%; 95% CI 0.0–2.8), none tested positive for HIV or hepatitis C. Malaria PCR was positive in six participants (5.6%; 95% CI: 1.2?9.9). Conclusions Given the high prevalence of S. mansoni infection and potentially severe long-term sequelae of untreated schistosomiasis, routine screening for schistosomiasis in refugees from Schistosoma- endemic regions should be recommended.