Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection associated with human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 infection in Peru

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1999 Jan;60(1):146-9. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1999.60.146.

Abstract

A study was conducted in Lima, Peru to determine if patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection had human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-I) infection. The study included patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection and a control group consisted of sex- and age-matched asymptomatic healthy individuals whose stools were negative for Strongyloides. A third group included patients with intestinal strongyloidiasis. Sera from each study subject were tested for HTLV-1/2I by an ELISA and Western blot. The HLTV-1 infection rates (85.7%, 18 of 21) were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with Strongyloides hyperinfection compared with the control group (4.7%, 1 of 21). The HTLV-1 rate (10%, 6 of 62) for patients with intestinal strongyloidiasis was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection, but did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) from the control group. The association of HTLV-1 infection was observed among 17 of 19 patients more than 20 years of age and one of two younger patients. None had HTLV-2 infection. In conclusion, Strongyloides hyperinfection among Peruvian patients was highly associated with HTLV-1 infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • HTLV-I Antibodies / blood*
  • HTLV-I Infections / complications
  • HTLV-I Infections / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / complications*
  • Male
  • Peru / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Strongyloides stercoralis* / isolation & purification
  • Strongyloidiasis / complications*

Substances

  • HTLV-I Antibodies