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Trichuriasis: localized inflammatory responses in the colon.
Gurjeet Kaur1, S Mahendra Raj, Nyi Nyi Naing
1Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kelantan. gurjeet@kb.usm.my
The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
|September 19, 2002
Summary
Even light Trichuris trichiura infections trigger a local colon inflammation. Biopsies revealed increased eosinophils and neutrophils near worms, indicating an immune response even in mild trichuriasis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Parasitology
- Immunology
Background:
- Trichuriasis, caused by Trichuris trichiura, often presents with light worm burdens.
- Limited data exists on the colonic inflammatory response in lightly infected individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the local inflammatory response in the colon adjacent to Trichuris worms in lightly infected patients.
Main Methods:
- Colonoscopies were performed on nine patients with detected Trichuris infections.
- Biopsies were taken near visible worms and from a distal site for routine and immunohistochemical analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant mucosal damage (ulceration, congestion, fibrosis) was observed.
- Worm-adjacent sites showed increased eosinophils, neutrophils, and total inflammatory cells.
- No differences were found in edema, lymphoid follicles, epithelial slough, lymphocytes, mast cells, or B- and T-cells.
Conclusions:
- Trichuris trichiura worms elicit a localized inflammatory response involving eosinophils and neutrophils, even with light worm burdens.
- This suggests an active immune interaction occurs even in subclinical infections.