Unsuspected strongyloidiasis in hospitalised elderly patients with and without eosinophilia.
The prevalence and associated factors of chronic uncomplicated strongyloidiasis were estimated among 200 consecutive elderly patients (aged >or= 60 years) admitted to a general hospital in northern Italy. One-hundred patients had a peripheral eosinophil concentration >or= 500 cells/microL (group A), and 100 were age- and gender-matched controls (group B). Measurements included serum IgG anti-Strongyloides antibody titre by an indirect immunofluorescence assay, combined with faecal culture for Strongyloides stercoralis. Anti-Strongyloides antibodies were detected in 28 patients (at high titre in 11 patients). Seropositivity was significantly more common among group A than among group B patients (OR 4.85). Strong seropositivity for anti-Strongyloides antibodies was associated with farm work (p < 0.001), but not with other patient characteristics or with signs and symptoms of strongyloidiasis. In conclusion, strongyloidiasis was relatively common among elderly in-patients; eosinophilia and a history of farm work were the most useful indications for this diagnosis.
Pirisi
M
M
Department of Medical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro, Novara, Italy. mario.pirisi@med.unipmn.it
Salvador
E
E
Bisoffi
Z
Z
Gobbo
M
M
Smirne
C
C
Gigli
C
C
Minisini
R
R
Fortina
G
G
Bellomo
G
G
Bartoli
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth