Strongyloides stercoralis infection alters liver enzyme levels in alcoholic patients.

INTRODUCTION

Strongyloides stercoralis infection can develop into a severe and lifethreatening condition in high-risk groups, such as alcoholics. However, few studies assess the effect of these comorbidities on patients’ health.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate hematological, biochemical and hepatic biomarkers and the production of total immunoglobulin E in alcoholic patients infected with S. stercoralis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This was a case-control study involving 240 alcoholic patients, 60 infected and 180 non-infected with S. stercoralis. Evaluation of blood biomarkers was performed using automated methods, commercial kits, or nephelometry.

RESULTS

A high frequency of low hemoglobin content was observed among alcoholics, but there was no significant difference between the infected and non-infected groups, 65.0% (39/60) and 62.8% (113/180), respectively. The frequency of eosinophilia, 58.3 % (35/60) and 26.1% (47/180) and the total immunoglobulin E concentration, 2882 and 1400 IU/ml, were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in S. stercoralis-infected than in non-infected individuals. ALT and AST levels were high in both groups compared to the reference values. However, the infected group presented lower AST levels, 61.5 ± 38.4 and 84.3 ± 84.6 U/L, and a lower frequency of individuals with high ALT levels, 26.7% (16/60) and 40.5% (73/180), respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, AST levels were higher in individuals with a parasite load above 100 larvae/g of feces compared to those with less than 10 larvae/g of feces, 90.80 ± 39.9 and 56.42 ± 31.9 U/L (p < 0.05), respectively. A similar result was found for ALT.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed fewer alterations in liver enzyme levels in S. stercoralis infected alcoholic patients compared to non-infected alcoholic patients, an effect that may depend on the parasite load.