Study of Patients With Strongyloides Stercoralis Infection
Information source: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on February 12, 2009
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: HIV Infection; Nematode Infection; Strongyloidiasis
Phase: N/A
Status: Recruiting
Sponsored by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Overall contact:
Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, Phone: (800) 411-1222, Email: prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
Summary
This study will explore faster and easier ways to detect infection with the intestinal
parasite Strongyloides stercoralis and learn more about the conditions under which it causes
serious disease. Ordinarily, the Strongyloides helminth (type of intestinal worm) causes only
few, if any, symptoms, but in people with weakened immunity it may be very serious, and even
deadly.
People between 5 and 80 years of age with known or suspected S. stercoralis infection, or
infection with another helminth, such as filariasis, that might cause a cross-reaction with
S. stercoralis may be eligible for this study.
Participants found to be infected with S. stercoralis will be treated with ivermectin,
thiabendazole, or albendazole. In addition, they will undergo the following tests and
procedures:
- Blood tests and stool samples: Samples will be collected before and after treatment to
check general health status and immune function, and to look for parasites in stool. Up
to 50 milliliters (10 teaspoons) of blood will be drawn in adults and up to 25 ml (5
teaspoons) in children.
- Skin tests: A test similar to those used for tuberculosis and allergies will be
conducted to determine if there is sensitization to products of the parasite. Such a
test might be used as a rapid method to diagnose the infection. About three drops of
several different antigens (proteins) are injected into the skin of the arm. After 15 to
20 minutes, the area is checked to see if a red spot has formed and, if so, the spot is
measured.
Clinical Details
Official title: Study of Patients With Known or Suspected Infection With Strongyloides Stercoralis
Study design: N/A
Detailed description:
This study is directed to patients with known or suspected Strongyloides stercoralis
infection because it is a relatively common parasitic infection, even in the United States.
It is difficult to diagnose, and efficacy of treatment is difficult to evaluate. Some
infected individuals can develop serious even fatal, disease under certain conditions of
immunosuppression. Because newer diagnostic methods are needed to diagnose this infection,
we have developed new diagnostics that will be evaluated in comparison to more standard
diagnostic tests. Serum and cells will also be collected from patients on this protocol to
understand the cellular and humoral response to the parasite and its antigens. All subjects
proven to have Strongyloides stercoralis infection will be treated with standard therapy and
followed to assess both the efficacy of treatment and the changes in humoral and cellular
immune responses induced by treatment.
Eligibility
Minimum age: 8 Years.
Maximum age: 80 Years.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Age of 5 to 80 years and of either sex.
Access to primary medical care provider outside of the NIH
Ability to give written informed consent (for adults) and parental consent (for those under
18)
Presence of known or suspected infection with Stronglyloides stercoralis, such as
significant peripheral blood eosinophilia (greater than 1000 eosinophils/mm(3)) for which
no other cause is apparent.
Willingness to participate and provide blood for in vitro assays and serum storage.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Less than 5 years of age
Pregnancy is not a criterion for exclusion.
Locations and Contacts
Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, Phone: (800) 411-1222, Email: prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil; Recruiting
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States; Recruiting
Additional Information
NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web Page
Related publications: Neva FA. Biology and immunology of human strongyloidiasis. J Infect Dis. 1986 Mar;153(3):397-406. Review. Newton RC, Limpuangthip P, Greenberg S, Gam A, Neva FA. Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection in a carrier of HTLV-I virus with evidence of selective immunosuppression. Am J Med. 1992 Feb;92(2):202-8. Sato Y, Otsuru M, Takara M, Shiroma Y. Intradermal reactions in strongyloidiasis. Int J Parasitol. 1986 Feb;16(1):87-91. No abstract available.
Starting date: August 1989
Last updated: August 16, 2008
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