Intestinal parasitic infections and atopic dermatitis among Venezuelan Warao Amerindian pre- school children.

Background: We evaluated the influence of intestinal parasitic infection on food sensitization associated to the severity of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) in a group of Warao Amerindian pre- school children.

Methods: Feces examinations were performed in fresh stool specimens. Diagnosis of AD was done according to Hannifin and Rajka criteria and SCORAD index.

Secretory IgA antibody responses in Venezuelan children infected with Giardia duodenalis.

We standardized and evaluated an ELISA technique for the detection of total and specific anti-Giardia duodenalis secretory IgA antibodies (sIgA). Samples of saliva and serum of 161 Venezuelan schoolchildren were analysed. After stool examination, 66 children were diagnosed to be infected with Giardia duodenalis, 22 with other protozoa, and 73 non-parasitized.