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[Asthma and covert toxocariasis]
M C Minvielle1, G Niedfeld, M L Ciarmela
1Cátedra de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina. jabasua@isis.unlp.edu.ar
Medicina
|August 19, 1999
Summary
Asthma patients show higher rates of covert toxocariasis, a parasitic infection. This study found a significant link between asthma and the presence of Toxocara antibodies, suggesting a potential underlying cause.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
Context:
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with complex etiologies.
- Toxocariasis is a human parasitic infection caused by roundworms, primarily Toxocara canis.
- The potential link between parasitic infections and asthma exacerbation requires further investigation.
Purpose:
- To investigate the seroprevalence of covert toxocariasis in asthma patients.
- To determine the association between Toxocara canis infection and asthma.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of specific antibodies and skin reactivity tests.
Summary:
- This study compared 38 asthma patients and 44 controls using ELISA for Anti-Toxocara canis antibodies (IgG and IgE).
- Cutaneous reactivity to T. canis antigens was also assessed.
- Asthma patients exhibited a significantly higher seroprevalence (68.42%) compared to controls (13.63%), with a notable percentage showing dual antibody presence.
Impact:
- Findings suggest a significant association between asthma and covert toxocariasis.
- The presence of specific Toxocara antibodies, particularly IgE, correlates with allergic sensitization in asthmatic individuals.
- This research highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis and management of asthma.