Publications (9)18.73 Total impact
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Article: Proteomic analysis of Strongyloides stercoralis L3 larvae.
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ABSTRACT: Strongyloidiasis can be perpetuated by autoinfection with the filariform larvae L3, causing asymptomatic chronic infections and creating a population of carriers, affecting not only developing countries. So far, very little is known about the proteins that interact with the human host, and few proteins from the infective Strongyloides stercoralis L3 have been characterized. Here, we report results obtained from a proteomic analysis of the proteins from S. stercoralis L3 larvae obtained from patients. Since the genome of S. stercoralis is not yet available, we used proteomic analysis to identify 26 different proteins, 13 of them released by short digestion with trypsin, which could represent surface-associated proteins. The present work extends our knowledge of host-parasite interactions by identifying proteins that could be of interest in the development of diagnostic tools, vaccines, or treatments for a neglected disease like strongyloidiasis.Parasitology 04/2010; 137(10):1577-83. · 2.96 Impact Factor -
Article: [Empirical treatment of eosinophilias. Prevent the complications of strongyloidiasis].
Revista Clínica Española 12/2003; 203(11):563; author reply 564-5. · 2.01 Impact Factor -
Article: High prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis among farm workers on the Mediterranean coast of Spain: analysis of the predictive factors of infection in developed countries.
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ABSTRACT: Strongyloidiasis is a parasitosis characterized by persistent infection before dissemination and the development of potentially fatal disease. Since diagnosis is difficult, knowledge of the prevalence and geographic distribution of the disease is of practical importance. A study was made of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a random and representative sample of farm workers in a tourist region in Spain based on the detection of larvae of triple stool samples. The prevalence of infection was 12.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.4-16.4). None of the 26 clinical or epidemiologic variables analyzed were found to be predictive of infection. Only eosinophilia (> 400 eosinophils/mm3) was significantly greater among the infected individuals (odds ratio = 73.4, 95% CI = 16.3-327.0), with a sensitivity of 93.5% and a specificity of 93.1%. A screening program is proposed to detect eosinophilia, to provide treatment without stool examinations, and thus afford a cost-effective policy for preventing the development of severe forms of the disease among specific risk groups where the prevalence of other parasitoses is low.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 10/2003; 69(3):336-40. · 2.59 Impact Factor -
Article: Tungiasis presenting with whitish nodules on the feet.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 04/2003; 17(2):247-8. · 2.98 Impact Factor -
Article: [Agricultural occupation and strongyloidiasis. A case-control study].
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ABSTRACT: In the last few years, Strongyloides stercoralis has been repeatedly recovered from indigenous farmers in the Safor area (Valencia Community). The relationship between the different occupational activities, mainly farming, and the presence of strongyloidiasis was investigated. A paired case-control study was designed. The investigation was conducted at Oliva Centro de Salud, from October 1997 to October 1999. Diagnosis was established when Strongyloides stercoralis was observed in any of the three serial fecal samples requested when eosinophilia was observed in the hemogram. Controls were persons matched by sex and age (+/- 5) years, with no eosinophilia in the hemogram and in whom the presence of the parasite was excluded in fecal samples. Participants in the study were 47 cases and their respective controls. Each group included 39 (83%) men and 8 (17%) women. Forty-five cases (95%) and 42 controls (89%) had been born in Safor. Only two cases had travelled to endemic areas. Farming was the main activity in 32 (68%) cases and 31 (66%) controls. The only occupational activity which showed influence on strongyloidiasis was working in ricefields, with an OR of 2.97 (95% CI: 1.16-7.71). Dermatologic symptoms were significant for pruritus, OR 7.39 (95% CI: 2.29-27.60). One case with hyperinfection and another with larva currens were diagnosed. In our area, working in ricefields and chronic pruritus are associated with chronic strongylodiasis.Revista Clínica Española 03/2001; 201(2):81-4. · 2.01 Impact Factor -
Article: [Migratory serpiginous eruption].
Revista Clínica Española 07/2000; 200(6):341-3. · 2.01 Impact Factor -
Article: [30 cases of strongyloidiasis at a primary care center: characteristics and possible complications].
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ABSTRACT: To study the characteristics of the Strongyloides stercoralis infestation in our area. A 30-case series. Survey of workplace behaviour and hygienic conditions in the home. Review of clinical histories to check for factors putting subjects at risk of severe self-infection. 21,000 inhabitants covered by the Oliva Health Centre. All the cases diagnosed between January 1994 and June 1997. The diagnosis was carried out by observing under the microscope both fresh Strongyloides stercoralis larvae and cultures of three serial faecal samples. We found 19 men (63.3%) and 11 women (36.7%), with an average age of 65 (SD, 11.5 years). 28 had been born in the area (93.4%). 15 had never travelled abroad (50%). Of the 19 men, 18 (94%) had done agricultural work barefoot, but none of the women. Clinically, 17 (56.6%) had chronic symptoms; cough was the most common, in 12 (40%). Incidence in our area of Strongyloidiasis, although diagnosed infrequently, has increased considerably with the systematic discarding of the infection in non-attributable cases of Eosinophilia.Atención Primaria 04/1998; 21(5):271-4. · 0.63 Impact Factor -
Article: [Strongyloides stercoralis infection in patients with bronchial obstructive pathology].
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ABSTRACT: Strongyloides stercoralis infection was hardly seen in Spain until a few years ago but has recently been shown to be fairly common in some geographic areas. In the respiratory tract this germ can cause acute bronchospasms that make diagnosis difficult, particularly in patients with underlying bronchial disease. To determine if curing S. stercoralis infection is accompanied by clinical and functional improvement in patients with bronchial obstruction, we studied the evolution of 22 infected patients: 11 with no bronchopulmonary disease and 11 with chronic airway obstruction or asthma. The following variables were assessed in both groups at the moment of diagnosis of infection and four months after cure: levels of eosinophils and total serum IgE, respiratory symptoms, steroid doses and spirometric parameters. After four months we observed a significant decrease in eosinophil (16 versus 5%) and IgE (1,600 versus 770 IU/ml) levels in both groups. The number of bronchospasms and daily steroid doses required decreased in the group with bronchial disease. No significant differences were seen in spirometric parameters, however. The improvement in respiratory symptoms, blood parameters and need for medication leads us to believe that airway inflammation decreases after the infection has been eradicated, in spite of the lack of improvement in bronchial obstruction.Archivos de Bronconeumología 10/1997; 33(8):384-8. · 2.17 Impact Factor -
Article: [Infection by Strongyloides stercoralis in the county of Safor, Spain].
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ABSTRACT: Strongyloides stercoralis is an endemic nematode in tropical and subtropical regions, but almost unknown in Spain. In order to know some epidemiological, clinical and analytic features of this infection in our area (La Safor, Valencia), we performed a prospective study for 19 months. Through the search for the parasite in feces of patients with eosinophilia, we identified 37 subjects who were studied at diagnosis and 4 months later. Thirty-three patients (89%) were currently, or had been agricultural workers, and thirty had worked barefooted and/or had drunk contaminated irrigation water. Twenty-three patients (62%) had a chronic or immunosuppressive diseases, and two of them on steroid treatment, developed a disseminated strongyloidiasis. Thirteen patients (35%) were asymptomatic; the rest had clinical manifestations attributed S. stercoralis, mainly digestive. Two of the patients with disseminated strongyloidiasis also had concomitant bacterial infections by Streptococcus bovis, Streptococcus faecalis and Enterobacter sp. At diagnosis, besides eosinophilia, 86.5% had raised levels of IgE. Four months later treatment, the number of eosinophils was normal and IgE levels significantly decreased. The diagnostic yield of parasitic study of feces was increased with the number of samples examined. Thiabendazole achieved erradication of the parasite in 35 patients, and the other two died because of disseminated strongyloidiasis. The presence of eosinophilia in patients from rural areas with subtropical climate should raise suspicion about infection by S. stercoralis, which, although sometimes is asymptomatic, may cause systemic bacterial infections in cases of hyperinfestation, specially when glucocorticoid treatment is given.Medicina Clínica 08/1997; 109(6):212-5. · 1.38 Impact Factor
