Influence of human T-cell lymphocytotropic virus type 1 infection on serologic and skin tests for strongyloidiasis

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2001 Nov;65(5):610-3. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2001.65.610.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether human T-cell lymphocytotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection may affect the levels of parasite-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgE and the positivity of the skin test for strongyloidiasis. Participants included 67 patients with strongyloidiasis (40 without HTLV-1 infection and 27 coinfected with HTLV-1). We determined IgG and IgE levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the immediate hypersensitivity skin test was performed with the metabolic Strongyloides stercoralis antigen. Specific IgE levels and the size of skin reactions in patients without HTLV-1 were higher (P < 0.01) than those observed in patients coinfected with HTLV-1. Additionally, 89% of patients without HTLV-1 had specific IgE and 92.5% had positive skin tests; however, these values were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in patients coinfected with HTLV-1 (44% and 59%, respectively). These data show that HTLV-1 infection decreases the sensitivity of detection of S. stercoralis-specific IgE, the size of the immediate hypersensitivity reaction, and the sensitivity of these tests in the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Female
  • HTLV-I Infections / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Male
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serologic Tests
  • Skin Tests
  • Strongyloidiasis / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin E