Possible effects of Strongyloides fuelleborni-like infections on children in the Karimui area of Simbu Province.

A parasitological survey of 75 children less than 5 years of age from the village of Yuro, 5km south-east of Karimui, revealed that 47 (63%) were infected with the Strongyloides species resembling S. fuelleborni; 42 (56%) were infected with hookworm. Poor compliance with an intervention study of thiabendazole therapy resulted in the abandonment of the proposed follow-up survey. However, with the small number of children who did comply, we found evidence to suggest a link between high Strongyloides egg count and poor nutritional status.