Protocol Number: 77-I-0094

Title:

Study of Patients with Parasitic Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Number:

77-I-0094

Summary:

This protocol offers diagnosis and standard medical treatment for various parasitic gastrointestinal infections. Gastrointestinal parasites are either worms (helminths) or one-celled animals called protozoans which live in the human intestines. Often, parasitic infections do not cause illness. In these cases, drug treatment is not indicated, because treatment can have adverse side effects. Patients will be examined for their immune responses, correlation between the number of parasites and disease, and other studies.

Individuals with known or suspected parasitic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including amebiasis, giardiasis, hookworm, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, pinworm, tapeworm, trichinosis, clonorchis, opisthorchis, coccidiosis, paragonimiasis, and echinococcus may be eligible for this study.

Patient evaluations may include blood and urine tests, stool examination, X-rays, ultrasound studies and, uncommonly, duodenal aspiration for examination of fluid from the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). Other tests may be required, depending on the parasite and disease. Direct examination of the tissues of the intestines may be required to rule out certain infections.

Research procedures include collection of stool, blood and duodenal fluid when the diagnosis has been established and these procedures are not required for medical care. Patients with strongyloidiasis may also be given a diagnostic skin test similar to skin tests for tuberculosis and allergies. Research procedures on children will be limited to collection of stool, urine and blood. No more than 7 milliliters (1 1/2 teaspoons) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) body weight of blood will be collected in children over a 6-week period. In adults no more than 30 tablespoons of blood will be collected in a 6-week period.

Parasites may fail to respond to treatment. In these cases, it may be necessary to grow the parasite in the laboratory in order to test treatments in the test tube. Patients who do not respond to standard medications and dosing may need different doses of drugs or drugs or combinations of drugs used in the United States for other medical problems. If these medications or doses are used, patients will be informed of their possible side effects.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Participants currently recruited/enrolled

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: Yes

Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Persons with proven or highly suspected parasitic infections involving the gastrointestinal tract (including amebiasis, giardiasis, hookworm, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, pinworm, tapeworm, cyclorsporiasis, cryptosporidia infections, microsporidia infections, isosporidium infections, trichinosis, gastrointestinal dwelling trematodes, coccdioiosis, and echinococccus and additional infections).

Persons of all ages.

Ability and willingness of the subject or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Subject unwilling or unable to comply with requirements of the protocol in the opinion of the investigator.

Special Instructions:

Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Giardia

Helminth

Cryptosporidium

Hookworms

Trichuris

Strongyloides

Protozoa

Small Bowel Biopsy

E. Histolytica

Duodenal Aspiration

Recruitment Keyword(s):

Parasitic Disease

Amebiasis

Tapeworm

Trichinosis

Gastrointestinal Trematodes

Clonorchis

Opisthorchis

Coccidiosis

Paragonimiasis

Echinococcus

Condition(s):

Amebiasis

Cryptosporidiosis

Giardiasis

Parasitic Disease

Parasitic Intestinal Disease

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Intervention(s):

None

Supporting Site:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Contact(s):

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citation(s):

The mechanisms of giardia lamblia differentiation into cysts

Cholesterol starvation induces differentiation of the intestinal parasite giardia lamblia

Chronic giardiasis: studies on drug-sensitivity, toxin production and host immune response

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 09/16/2008