title: Strongyloidiasis in an institution for mentally retarded adults.
abstract: A serologic and epidemiologic survey was undertaken to explain the high incidence of eosinophilia (14.1%) in nine of 64 residents of a facility for mentally retarded adults in Pennsylvania. Seven residents had antibodies to Strongyloides stercoralis as determined by an IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system (10.9%) and five (71.4%) of this subset had persistent eosinophilia, suggesting a strong association. Sex, race, age, ward, degree of retardation, and medication were not associated with eosinophilia. Stool examination revealed S stercoralis larvae in two residents with S stercoralis antibodies and eosinophilia. Follow-up studies after thiabendazole treatment of the residents with S stercoralis antibodies showed resolution of eosinophilia and disappearance of S stercoralis antibodies in most. Eosinophilia in an adult institutional setting may be associated with strongyloidiasis, even in a nonendemic area. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibody to S stercoralis may be useful in diagnosing or monitoring therapy of strongyloidiasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Temple University Health Sciences Center, Philadelphia, PA 19140.
authors.forename: T I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fekete
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000276:immunology; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth