title: Eosinophilia as a marker for chronic strongyloidiasis--use of a serum ELISA test to detect asymptomatic cases.
abstract: In a previously published survey of 602 former Far East prisoners of the 2nd World War (FEPOWs), 88 (15%) were found to have Strongyloides stercoralis infections. A further 25 (4.2%) had significant blood eosinophilia for no obvious parasitological or other medical cause. We have reinvestigated this latter group several years (range nine to 19 years) later, using a recently developed serum ELISA test as well as other standard parasitological procedures. Of the 11 who were still alive and traceable five (45%) were diagnosed as having strongyloidiasis. Eosinophilia in high risk groups such as former FEPOWs is very suggestive of Strongyloides infections. The serum ELISA test appears to be a useful, sensitive and specific screening test for this diagnostically difficult infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, U.K.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004804:Eosinophils; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D011330:Prisons; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*