Study of Patients With Strongyloides Stercoralis Infection

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.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

HIV Infection Blood-Borne Infections Communicable Diseases Disease Enterobiasis Genital Diseases HIV Infections Helminthiasis Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Immediate Immune System Diseases Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes Infections Lentivirus Infections Nematode Infection Nematode Infections Oxyuriasis Oxyurida Infections Parasitic Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms RNA Virus Infections Retroviridae Infections Rhabditida Infections Secernentea Infections Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral Strongyloidiasis Urogenital Diseases Virus Diseases

Age range

8 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Nih

Registry information

Official study title

Study of Patients With Known or Suspected Infection With Strongyloides Stercoralis

Important dates

Study start: 1989
Primary completion: 2009
First posted: Nov 4, 1999
Registry last updated: Aug 25, 2009

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed