Detection of Anti-Strongyloides Antibodies in the Serum of Liver Transplant Recipients: Need of Screening for This Neglected Helminthiasis

Parasite Immunol. 2024 Jul;46(7):e13059. doi: 10.1111/pim.13059.

Abstract

Immunosuppressed patients, particularly transplant recipients, can develop severe strongyloidiasis. This study aimed to detect anti-Strongyloides IgG antibodies in a panel of sera from liver transplant patients. Two techniques were used: ELISA as the initial screening test and Western blotting as a confirmatory test. ELISA reactivity of 10.9% (32/294) was observed. The 40-30 kDa fraction was recognised in 93.7% (30/32) of the patients, resulting in a positivity rate of 10.2%. These data highlight the importance of serological screening for Strongyloides stercoralis infection in liver transplant recipients.

Keywords: Strongyloides stercoralis; heterologous antigens; liver transplant; serological.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth* / blood
  • Blotting, Western
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunoglobulin G* / blood
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Neglected Diseases / diagnosis
  • Neglected Diseases / epidemiology
  • Neglected Diseases / immunology
  • Strongyloides stercoralis* / immunology
  • Strongyloidiasis* / blood
  • Strongyloidiasis* / diagnosis
  • Strongyloidiasis* / immunology
  • Transplant Recipients*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin G