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Published on: February 1, 2012
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[Intestinal enzyme activity in patients with strongyloidiasis]
Meditsinskaia Parazitologiia I Parazitarnye Bolezni
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Strongyloidiasis infection significantly reduces enterokinase and alkaline phosphatase activity in both moderate climates and tropical regions. Intestinal enzymatic activity did not normalize even six months after recovery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Parasitology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic infection affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
- Enterokinase and alkaline phosphatase are key intestinal enzymes.
- Climate and geographic location may influence parasitic disease severity and enzyme activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate enterokinase and alkaline phosphatase activities in strongyloidiasis patients.
- To compare enzyme activity between patients in moderate climates and tropical regions.
- To assess the long-term impact of strongyloidiasis on intestinal enzyme function.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme assays were performed on duodenal juice and fecal extracts.
- Patients included 37 strongyloidiasis patients from moderate climates and 17 from the tropics.
- Enzyme activity was measured before and after convalescence.
Main Results:
- Decreased enterokinase activity was observed in 60.7% (moderate climate) and 80% (tropics) of patients.
- Decreased alkaline phosphatase activity was noted in 87.8% (moderate climate) and 71.4% (tropics) of patients.
- No normalization of enzyme activity was observed 1-6 months post-convalescence.
Conclusions:
- Strongyloidiasis leads to significant reductions in enterokinase and alkaline phosphatase activity.
- These enzymatic deficits persist long after the infection is cleared.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term gastrointestinal consequences.
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