Parasitic infection of the gut and protein-losing enteropathy.
Parasitic infection of the gut is highly prevalent in developing countries and contributes to the severe malnutrition associated with persistent diarrhoea in children. Using random faecal alpha 1-antitrypsin measurements as an index of protein-losing enteropathy, we examined children with and without parasitic infection of the gut. Seventeen percent of children with persistent diarrhoea had evidence of protein-losing enteropathy. This was found to be associated with hypoalbuminaemia in children infected with Strongyloides stercoralis. Only a minority (2 of 17) of children infected with Giardia lamblia had raised faecal alpha 1-antitrypsin excretion and this was not associated with hypoalbuminaemia. This study emphasises the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment of Strongyloides infection in children with persistent diarrhoea and severe nutrition.
Sullivan
P B
PB
University of Cambridge, U.K.
Lunn
P G
PG
Northrop-Clewes
C A
CA
Farthing
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D016829:Giardia lamblia; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D017171:Strongyloides stercoralis; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000150:complications*; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis
D012709:Serum Albumin; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin