Modulation of circulating cytokine production in alcoholic patients infected with Strongyloides stercoralis.

BACKGROUND: Strongyloidiasis control is associated with a Th2 immune response. However, alcohol ingestion plays an important role in modulating the immune system.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the occurrence of S. stercoralis infection in alcoholic patients, the levels of circulating cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-15 and IL- 17), and its correlation with modulation of parasitic load in alcoholic individuals infected with S. stercoralis.

METHODS: 336 alcoholic patients were included in the study and treated at the Alcoholic Care and Treatment Center. The cytokine levels were measured by a commercial ELISA in 80 serum divided into four groups with 20 individuals each: alcoholics infected (ASs+) and not infected (ASs-) with S. stercoralis and non-alcoholics infected (NASs+) and not infected (NASs-) with the helminth.

RESULTS: S. stercoralis frequency in alcoholic patients was 16.1% (54/336). The parasitic load varied from 1 to 546 larvae/g of feces, median and interquartile range [IQR] of 9 and 1.0 - 62.5 larvae/g of feces, while in non-alcoholic individuals the parasitic load was less than 10 larvae/g of feces. Levels of circulating IL-4 were significantly higher in ASs+ when compared with NASs- group (p <0.05). An inverse correlation between serum levels of IFN-γ and parasitic load in alcoholic patients infected with S. stercoralis was observed (r = - 601; p <00.1).

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that modulation of IFN-γ production occurs in alcoholic individuals with high parasitic burden.