Effect of Strongyloides ratti on small bowel function in normal and immunosuppressed host rats

Robert E. Weesner, Jeeva Kolinjivadi, Ralph A. Giannella, Theresa Huitger-O'Connor, Robert M. Genta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although Strongyloides stercoralis is a common parasite, little is known about its effect on intestinal function. Published clinical studies are difficult to evaluate and compare because of the inability to differentiate the effects of the parasite load from that of various other coexisting features such as bacterial overgrowth, multiparasitism, malnutrition, or tropical sprue. Using a rat model where these problems do not occur, we found that Strongyloides ratti did not inhibit intestinal function in the healthy rat. In fact, in normal rats S. ratti appeared to increase ileal sucrase activity. In contrast, in the methylprednisolone-treated rat, S. ratti produced a decrease in lactase and sucrase activity and an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity. S. ratti had no effect on 3-O-methylglucose uptake or d-xylose absorption in either group. These results suggest that S. ratti has little effect on small bowel function in a healthy rat but can cause minor alterations in intestinal function in an immunosuppressed, methylprednisolone-treated, malnourished host. These results are also consistent with clinical observations seen with S. stercoralis in humans and with another nematode, Ascaris suus, in the pig model.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1316-1321
Number of pages6
JournalDigestive Diseases and Sciences
Volume33
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1988

Keywords

  • Strongyloides
  • absorption
  • alkaline phosphatase
  • d-xylose
  • immunosuppressed
  • lactase
  • parasites
  • sucrase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Gastroenterology

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