Immunological Diagnosis Research Articles

Application of signaling protein 14-3-3 and 26 kDa glutathione-S-transferase to serological diagnosis of Schistosomiasis japonica

Schistosomiasis japonica is currently one of the most serious parasitic diseases and over 670 000 people are infected in China by the end of 2006. In order to establish an effective diagnostic method, the gene coding for Sj14-3-3 and Sj26 kDa GST were cloned and expressed separately in Escherichia coli as fusion protein with His-tag. The r Sj14-3-3 and 26 kDa r SjGST were combinedly used as antigens for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to diagnose acute and chronic S. japonica. Our results showed that the sensitivity in diagnoses of both acute and chronic schistosomiasis was 94.4% (67/71) and 80.7% (96/119), respectively. The specificity was 94.7% applying 132 sera from people living in S. japonicum-free areas. The data also showed that the recombinant proteins cross-react with Clonorchis sinensis and hookworms at a rate of 11.8% and 5.3% respectively. Parallel tests were conducted among ELISA, indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) and circular ovum precipitin test (COPT) to determine anti- S. japonicum antibodies in sera of patients with schistosomiasis, healthy control, and those infected with other parasites and the results showed no significant difference in sensitivity for acute schistosomiasis between ELISA and IHA assays ( χ 2 = 1.33, P > 0.05), but significant between ELISA and COPT assays ( χ 2 = 6.72, P < 0.01). Our results also revealed significant difference in positive rate between ELISA and IHA ( χ 2 = 24.74, P < 0.005), as well as between ELISA and COPT ( χ 2 = 58.14, P < 0.005). These results suggest that the r Sj14-3-3 and r26 kDa SjGST would be effective diagnostic antigens for detection of antibodies to S. japonicum in human. Due to the easy production, high sensitivity and specificity, the recombinant proteins tested in this study can be considered as candidate reagent for immunological diagnosis of human schistosomiasis.

Échinococcose alvéolaire : d’une maladie rurale incurable à une infection urbaine sous contrôle ?

Human alveolar echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonosis with intermediate (rodents and small lagomorphs) and final (carnivores) hosts. The latter can transmit the parasite to humans, by their feces, which are contaminated by the oncospheres of Echinococcus multilocularis, the larvae of which develop in the liver like a slow cancer. Political, socioeconomic, and ecological factors can affect the intermediate and final hosts and thus influence the long-term emergence and stability of endemic areas. The past 20 years have been marked by: Epidemiologic changes: discovery of an endemic area in China, the largest in the world; extension of the European endemic range to the east and north; extension of the French endemic range to the west and south; and the settlement of contaminated foxes in urban centers, which will modify the populations at risk over time. Progress in diagnosis: initial use of liver ultrasound to screen for asymptomatic disease; value of magnetic resonance imaging to confirm diagnosis and assess extension of disease before beginning treatment; mastery of immunological and genetic diagnosis; and the introduction of positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography to assess the functional activity of the lesions and monitor treatment. Consensus has defined the main directions of a multidisciplinary treatment approach: radical liver resection when possible; avoidance of palliative surgical procedures; use of interventional radiology or endoscopy to treat biliary and vascular complications, whenever possible; consideration of liver transplantation only when all other treatment possibilities have been exhausted; and treatment of all patients, without exception, by albendazole for at least two years after radical surgery and long term (at least several years) in other cases. In France, survival and quality of life have improved very substantially, due to earlier diagnosis, clinical classification of cases, and rigorous follow-up as part of the FrancEchino network. Better understanding of the immunological and immunogenetic mechanisms that underlie the course of disease may open up the possibility of immunomodulation that could replace or round out the current treatments. These are far from satisfactory, in view of the constraints of prolonged, most often life-long treatment by benzimidazoles and their side effects.

Genetic and demographic features of X-linked agammaglobulinemia in Eastern and Central Europe: A cohort study

Primary immunodeficiency disorders are a recognized public health problem worldwide. The prototype of these conditions is X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) or Bruton's disease. XLA is caused by mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase gene (BTK), preventing B cell development and resulting in the almost total absence of serum immunoglobulins. The genetic profile and prevalence of XLA have not previously been studied in Eastern and Central European (ECE) countries. We studied the genetic and demographic features of XLA in Belarus, Croatia Hungary, Poland, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. We collected clinical, immunological, and genetic information for 122 patients from 109 families. The BTK gene was sequenced from the genomic DNA of patients with a high susceptibility to infection, almost no CD19+ peripheral blood B cells, and low or undetectable levels of serum immunoglobulins M, G, and A, compatible with a clinical and immunological diagnosis of XLA. BTK sequence analysis revealed 98 different mutations, 46 of which are reported for the first time here. The mutations included single nucleotide changes in the coding exons (35 missense and 17 nonsense), 23 splicing defects, 13 small deletions, 7 large deletions, and 3 insertions. The mutations were scattered throughout the BTK gene and most frequently concerned the SH1 domain; no missense mutation was detected in the SH3 domain. The prevalence of XLA in ECE countries (total population 145,530,870) was found to be 1 per 1,399,000 individuals. This report provides the first comprehensive overview of the molecular genetic and demographic features of XLA in Eastern and Central Europe.

Autoanticorps au cours de la sclérodermie systémique: intérêt clinique et approche diagnostique

This review describes different autoantibodies that are associated to systemic sclerosis disease, in presenting their interest for the diagnosis and prognosis, and suggests an immunologic diagnosis approach. The systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by variant specific autoantibodies (autoAbs). More than 90% of SSc cases have antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Anti-centromere and anti-Th/To antibodies are often associated to the limited SSc and to the CREST syndrome. The anti-topo-isomerase I, anti-RNA polymerases and anti-fibrillarin/U3-RNP Abs are diffuse SSc markers with several organ involvements. The anti-PM/Scl and anti-U1-RNP Abs rather mark overlap shapes with polymyositis and systemic lupus erythematous, respectively. The anti-Ku, anti-B23 and anti-NOR90 Abs are a new generation of less frequent autoAbs that show a relationship with specific subsets of SSc. Another heterogeneous group of Abs, topic of research, is described in SSc as well as anti-fibrillin 1, anti-endothelial cells, anti-annexin V and anti-collagen Abs. Despite the diagnosis of scleroderma is mainly clinical, these different autoAbs constitute a diagnosis and prognosis tools by defining immuno-clinical substes of the disease. Identifying those autoAbs requires a diagnostic strategy with two steps: the indirect immunofluorescence remains the better means of ANA tracking, leading thereafter to other identification specific methods, such immunoprecipitation, ELISA or immunoblotting.

Diagnóstico laboratorial da mielopatia associada ao HTLV-I: métodos para análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) may cause HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), an incapacitating chronic inflammatory disease of the spinal cord. The detection of IgG anti-HTLV-I antibodies in the serum and fluid (CSF) has been an important parameter for the laboratorial diagnosis of OBJECTIVE: critical evaluation of the methods applied to detect the presence and intrathecal production of total antibodies and anti-HTLV-I in the CSF for the diagnosis of METHODS: We performed a systematic review of medical articles by using the key words: cerebrospinal fluid, intrathecal synthesis of antibodies, HTLV-I associated myelopathy, HTLV-I, HAM/TSP. The used databases included: PubMed, Lilacs, Medline and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: A total of 14 articles were selected: five studies were related to the presence of specific IgG antibody in the CSF and nine studied the intrathecal synthesis of total antibodies (IgG or IgG/IgA/IgM) and specific anti-HTLV-I (IgG or IgM). DISCUSSION: The isolated study of the presence of IgG antibody anti-HTLV-I in the CSF does not show the fraction produced in the central nervous system, which represents low specificity (40%) for the diagnosis of The demonstration of the intrathecal synthesis of IgG anti-HTLV-I antibodies is more relevant due to its high specificity (89%) and sensibility (83%). According to Reiber & Felgenhauer (1987), the index IgG anti-HTLV-I, which is based on ELISA test with simultaneous CSF and serum analysis, stands out from the other methods applied to evaluate the intrathecal synthesis of specific antibody. Other studies use small samples and do not demonstrate the sensibility and specificity of the test in the CSF. Only one study shows statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: The immunological diagnosis of the CSF in HAM/TSP requires the standardization of methods, which should be based on tests of high sensibility and specificity.

In vitro cultivation of Toxocara cati adult worms for production of eggs and evaluation of oviposition

Abstract Toxocariasis is the clinical syndrome caused by infection of zoonotic roundworms of dogs (Toxocara canis) or cats (Toxocara cati). Current research on the immunology and pathology aspects of toxocariasis requires Toxocara second stage larvae and a ready source of excretory-secretory (ES) antigens. We cultured eleven pairs of both sexes of Toxocara cati adult worms maintained in RPMI 1640 medium in order to evaluate the amounts and duration of egg laying. At the first day and last day (day 19), the mean egg counts were 9300 and 250 eggs/ml, respectively. These results showed that this culture method is very appropriate for collection of pure oviposited eggs and/or production of adult ES antigens of Toxocara cati that could be used for immunological diagnosis of toxocariasis.

HIV Prevalence Estimates—United States, 2006

Accurate and timely data on the number of persons in the United States living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (HIV prevalence) are needed to guide planning for disease prevention, program evaluation, and resource allocation. However, overall HIV prevalence cannot be measured directly because a proportion of persons infected with HIV have neither been diagnosed nor reported to local surveillance programs. In addition, national HIV prevalence data are incomplete because local reporting systems for confidential, name-based HIV reporting have been fully implemented only since April 2008. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapies that delay the progression of HIV to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and of AIDS to death, and changes in the AIDS case definition to include an immunologic diagnosis, earlier back-calculation methods from the 1990s for estimating HIV prevalence based on the number of reported AIDS cases are no longer reliable. With 80% of states reporting name-based HIV diagnoses as of January 2006, an extended back-calculation method now can be used to estimate HIV prevalence more accurately. Based on this method, CDC now estimates that 1.1 million adults and adolescents (prevalence rate: 447.8 per 100,000 population) were living with diagnosed or undiagnosed HIV infection in the United States at the end of 2006. The majority of those living with HIV were nonwhite (65.4%), and nearly half (48.1%) were men who have sex with men (MSM). The HIV prevalence rates for blacks (1,715.1 per 100,000) and Hispanics (585.3 per 100,000) were, respectively, 7.6 and 2.6 times the rate for whites (224.3 per 100,000).

The clinical utility of molecular diagnostic testing for primary immune deficiency disorders

Over the last 20 years, there has been rapid progress in the identification of the genetic basis of a large number of primary immune deficiency disorders (PIDs). Contributing factors are major breakthroughs in genetics including the ability to generate genetically altered mice. Likewise the advances in bioinformatics and large scale sequencing technology have made gene identification feasible. This talk explores the clinical utility of gene testing for primary immune deficiency diagnosis. Advantages include certainty of diagnosis, prognostic information, family studies, prenatal diagnosis and the possibility of pre-implantation diagnosis. Genetic testing should now be regarded as an essential part of PID management. In 2003, The Immune Deficiency Foundation of New Zealand (IDFNZ) funded a feasibility study to establish a routine PID genetic testing service at Auckland City Hospital. Senior management at Auckland City Hospital made a far-sighted decision to fund the service and a senior scientist (S-TW) was appointed in 2005. The service offers a customised gene testing programme. New tests are available in 2–3 weeks and results from established tests are available within a week. Other assays such as T cell receptor excision circle (TREC) analysis are also available. The service has been accredited by IANZ, the laboratory testing programme in New Zealand. This talk illustrates the value of molecular immunology diagnosis with a series of case studies referred to the Auckland City Hospital.

Immunological and Molecular Diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Between two Environmentally Different Regions

Immunological and Molecular Diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Between two Environmentally Different Regions

DETECTION OF ECHINOCOCCUS COPROANTIGENS BY ENZYME- LINKED IMMUOSORBENT ASSAY IN DOGS FROM THE NORTH- VEST OF ROMANIA

A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of Echinococcus coproantigens in faecal samples from dogs in Satu Mare district. In view of the considerable public health significance of Echinococcus granulosus, the causative agent of the human cystic hydatidosis, there is an urgent need in Romania for reliable and simple techniques for the diagnosis of the infection in individual dogs. This technique should be considered as very important in implemention of the immunologic diagnosis tests in the control programmes of hydatidosis. The aim of this study was to underline the easy application of the ELISA test Chekit Echinotest (Bommeli, Liebefeld-Bern, Switzerland) and to estimate the prevalence of Echinococcus spp. infection in dogs from four rural regions in Satu-Mare. The studies were performed in October 2005 and July 2006 at the Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department of the Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Direction, Satu-Mare. 40 dog faeces were collected from the field or from rectum, and examined using the sandwich ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The overall prevalence was 12,5%, respectively five dogs were found positive to Echinococcus spp.

How flow cytometry is changing the study of TB immunology and clinical diagnosis

The application of flow cytometry has hugely advanced the field of tuberculosis (TB) across all areas of research ranging from diagnostic tests to understanding the underlying immunology. As cellular responses are understood to be the mainstay of the immune response in the control of TB it is very likely that polychromatic flow will become the tool of choice for assessing the effects of vaccination. Results are particularly encouraging in this area. The development of a new type of diagnostic test, a prototype of which has been reported, may be the spin-off of a broad and systematic approach to understanding and profiling the T-cell response to TB. It is obvious that flow cytometry will not be able to address all research questions in the field of TB. However, its enormous flexibility as a technology will make it the tool of choice in many situations. An ever increasing availability of flow cytometers, even in resource-poor countries, will rapidly change the face of TB research and management in the years ahead.

QuantiFERON-TB Gold and selected region of difference 1 peptide-based assays for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a cohort of patients enrolled with suspected tuberculosis

Recently, a simple whole blood test, QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-Gold), has been adopted for immunologic diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. A total of 369 individuals with suspected tuberculosis (TB) were tested with the QFT-Gold, whereas a subgroup of 62 patients was tested simultaneously with QFT-Gold test and an assay based on selected peptides from early secreted antigenic target 6 and culture filtrate protein 10 proteins. The sensitivity of the QFT-Gold assay for active TB was 72.9%, and the agreement between this test and tuberculin skin test was 75%. Using selected peptides, we found a positive response in the majority of active TB patients, with a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 89%. Our study suggests the usefulness of QFT-Gold in routine clinical practice on unselected patients with suspected TB. Moreover, the assay based on selected peptides is a useful tool to discriminate between active and latent TB and shows a high predictive value.

Design and produce Heptad Repeat 1 (HR1) Newcastle Disease Virus peptide drug using Genetic Engineering Techniques.

Background: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes a highly contagious respiratory, neurological, or enteric disease in chickens. The fusion (F) protein of virus is involved in mediating fusion of the viral envelope with cellular membranes. Heptad repeat region 1 (HR1) peptide of F protein can be used to vaccinate, immunological diagnosis and treat infected avian. As HR1 & HR2 peptide with out of equimolar concentration contains inhibitory effects on NDV entry (fusion), so they can be used to design and produce anti-NDV drugs. Methods: After obtaining virus from poultry we extracted NDV (NR43) RNA using RNX kit, performed RT-PCR technique, and then HR1 cDNA was cloned into pET32a(+) expression vector and transformed into E.coli Bl21(DE3) bacteria by using heat shock. The expression of the recombinant HR1 gene was induced at 30?C temperature using IPTG in 1mM concentration. Results and conclusion: HR1 amino acid and nucleotide sequence was aligned usin g Blast software and deposited at GenBank (AY678224). The achieved peptide was analyzed by using SDS-PAGE and Western-Blotting techniques. Finally, our results clearly demonstrated that the gene can be cloned and expressed in vitro in high dosage and the HR1 peptide can be used as a potentially as a virus fusion inhibitor.

Development of human antibody fragments using antibody phage display for the detection and diagnosis of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV).

BackgroundVenezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) belongs to the Alphavirus group. Several species of this family are also pathogenic to humans and are recognized as potential agents of biological warfare and terrorism. The objective of this work was the generation of recombinant antibodies for the detection of VEEV after a potential bioterrorism assault or an natural outbreak of VEEV.ResultsIn this work, human anti-VEEV single chain Fragments variable (scFv) were isolated for the first time from a human naïve antibody gene library using optimized selection processes. In total eleven different scFvs were identified and their immunological specificity was assessed. The specific detection of the VEEV strains TC83, H12/93 and 230 by the selected antibody fragments was proved. Active as well as formalin inactivated virus particles were recognized by the selected antibody fragments which could be also used for Western blot analysis of VEEV proteins and immunohistochemistry of VEEV infected cells. The anti-VEEV scFv phage clones did not show any cross-reactivity with Alphavirus species of the Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) and Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) antigenic complex, nor did they react with Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), if they were used as detection reagent.ConclusionFor the first time, this study describes the selection of antibodies against a human pathogenic virus from a human naïve scFv antibody gene library using complete, active virus particles as antigen. The broad and sensitive applicability of scFv-presenting phage for the immunological detection and diagnosis of Alphavirus species was demonstrated. The selected antibody fragments will improve the fast identification of VEEV in case of a biological warfare or terroristic attack or a natural outbreak.

Immunology and genetics of type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is one of the most well-characterized autoimmune diseases. Type 1 diabetes compromises an individual's insulin production through the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta-cells. Although much is understood about the mechanisms of this disease, multiple potential contributing factors are thought to play distinct parts in triggering type 1 diabetes. The immunological diagnosis of type 1 diabetes relies primarily on the detection of autoantibodies against islet antigens in the serum of type 1 diabetes mellitus patients. Genetic analyses of type 1 diabetes have linked human leukocyte antigen, specifically class II alleles, to susceptibility to disease onset. Environmental catalysts include various possible factors, such as viral infections, although the evidence linking infections with type 1 diabetes remains inconclusive. Imbalances within the immune system's system of checks and balances may promote immune activation, while undermining immune regulation. A lack of proper regulation and overactive pathogenic responses provide a framework for the development of autoimmune abnormalities. Type 1 diabetes is a predictable and potentially treatable disease that still requires much research to fully understand and pinpoint the exact triggering events leading to autoimmune activation. In silico research can aid the comprehension of the etiology of complex disease pathways, including Type I diabetes, in order to and help predict the outcome of therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving beta-cell function.

Parasitological and immunological diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

This study examined the frequency of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in patients with gastrointestinal cancer through parasitological and immunological tests. A total of 77 patients were evaluated, 33 with gastrointestinal cancer and 44 controls with other types of cancers. All the patients were undergoing chemotherapy and 14 (18.2%) were receiving concomitant radiotherapy. For a parasitological diagnosis, we applied the Baermann and Lutz methods. The immunological diagnosis involved the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect IgG antibodies using Strongyloides ratti antigens. The frequency of positive S. stercoralis in gastrointestinal cancer diagnosed by parasitological methods was 3 cases (9.1%), by serology it was 8 cases (24.2%). In the control group 1 case (2.3%) of S. stercoralis was diagnosed by parasitological methods and 2 cases (4.5%) by immunological tests (p<0.05). Patients with gastrointestinal cancer had a 6.7-fold greater chance of testing positive for S. stercoralis infection. Our data highlight the importance of parasitological and immunological diagnosis for S. stercoralis in patients with gastrointestinal cancer living in endemic areas of strongyloidiasis, since they have a higher risk of becoming infected with S. stercoralis than patients with other types of cancer.

Cytokine Profiles of Macrophages by Mycobacterium abscessus Conditional Morphotype Variants and Comparison of Their Extracellular-Protein Expressions

Mycobacterium abscessus has been identified as an emerging pulmonary pathogen in humans. Previously, it was documented that a spontaneously formed rough variant of M. abscessus causes persistent and invasive infection in mice, while a smooth isogenic variant does not. However, little is known for immune responses elicited by M. abscessus variants artificially induced by culture conditions and their culture filtrate antigens. Thus, morphological variants of M. abscessus type strain (ATCC19977T) were generated by an acidic and low oxygen culture conditions. Overall comparison between the variant and its original smooth strain showed that the rough variant was less virulent than original smooth strain in murine bone-marrow derived macrophage. To understand the basis for the difference, the protein expression pattern in the culture filtrates of each strain was analyzed by 1-dimensional electrophoresis. Generally, the protein expressions were more influenced by pH conditions than oxygen pressures. Interestingly, several proteins, mainly lower than 30 kDa molecular weight, were uniquely expressed in normal culture conditions. In contrast, several high molecular weight proteins (＞55 kDa) were induced by acidic and low oxygen culture conditions. These findings not only provide new insights of association between morphological change and the virulence, but may also be useful in the design of immunological diagnosis and vaccines for M. abscessus infection.

Unusual direct phycoerythrin labeling of B‐cells from a splenic marginal zone lymphoma

Flow cytometry is the most widely used method for lymphocyte subset characterization. Two types of antibodies, directly labeled with fluorochrome, are currently used for immunological diagnosis of B-cell lymphoproliferation: monoclonal antibodies against leukocyte differentiation antigens and polyclonal antibodies against immunoglobulins and light chains. In this study is described the case of a patient with an uncommon immunophenotyping of a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. B-cells from peripheral blood and from bone marrow reacted positively with all the tested phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated antibodies, including the isotypic control. So we thought about a B-cell proliferation carrying a surface receptor recognizing PE: these B-cells were directly labeled with streptavidin-PE, indeed. Moreover, the immunodots from the patient were able to fix the streptavidin-PE. Finally, this unusual immunophenotyping was solved by using antibodies labeled with other fluorochromes than PE.

Eficacia de cuatro antiparasitarios para el control de Melophagus ovinus en la Región de Magallanes, Patagonia Chilena

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis in urbangarbage collectors through the use of immunological and parasitological methods. A total of 92individuals were evaluated from August, 1997, to June, 1998. For the parasitological diagnosisBaermann and Lutz’ methods were applied. The immunological diagnosis involved the indirectfluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detectspecific IgG antibodies. Of the 92 workers examined, six (6.5%) were infected with larvae of S.stercoralis . The IFAT detected 19 (16.3%) and the ELISA 17 (18.5%) positive serum samples. Thedifferences between the results of parasitological and immunological methods were statisticallysignificant (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that there is a need to improve the health conditionsof this category of city employees. Key words: Strongyloides stercoralis , Garbage collectors, Intestinal parasites, Brazil. INTRODUCTIONStrongyloidiosis is caused by a geohelminth,

Immunoparasitological diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis in garbage collectors in Uberlândia, MQ Brazil

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis in urbangarbage collectors through the use of immunological and parasitological methods. A total of 92individuals were evaluated from August, 1997, to June, 1998. For the parasitological diagnosisBaermann and Lutz’ methods were applied. The immunological diagnosis involved the indirectfluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detectspecific IgG antibodies. Of the 92 workers examined, six (6.5%) were infected with larvae of S.stercoralis . The IFAT detected 19 (16.3%) and the ELISA 17 (18.5%) positive serum samples. Thedifferences between the results of parasitological and immunological methods were statisticallysignificant (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that there is a need to improve the health conditionsof this category of city employees. Key words: Strongyloides stercoralis , Garbage collectors, Intestinal parasites, Brazil. INTRODUCTIONStrongyloidiosis is caused by a geohelminth,