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Related Experiment Videos

Is filariasis a trigger for bronchial asthma?

D S de Sylva1, M M Ismail, I D de Silva

  • 1Colombo South Hospital, Sri Lanka.

Acta Paediatrica Japonica : Overseas Edition
|April 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

Filaria infection may trigger asthma in Sri Lankan children, particularly those with allergies. Diethylcarbamazine (D.E.C.) treatment improved bronchial reactivity in some children with intermittent symptoms.

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Tropical Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Cough and wheeze in Sri Lankan children are often treated with diethylcarbamazine (D.E.C.) assuming filariasis.
  • The role of filariasis in triggering asthma and the efficacy of D.E.C. on bronchial reactivity require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if filariasis can trigger asthma in children.
  • To assess the impact of D.E.C. on bronchial reactivity in children with respiratory symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Peripheral blood eosinophil counts, filarial antibody tests, stool examinations, chest radiography, allergy skin tests, and histamine inhalation tests were conducted.
  • 35 symptomatic and 22 asymptomatic children were evaluated before and after D.E.C. treatment.

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Main Results:

  • One-third of all children had helminthiasis, positive filarial antibodies, and high eosinophil counts.
  • Marked improvement in bronchial reactivity was observed in symptomatic children with intermittent symptoms after D.E.C. treatment.
  • Baseline peak expiratory flow (P.E.F.) improved across all symptomatic groups.

Conclusions:

  • Filariasis may trigger asthma in atopic children.
  • D.E.C. treatment likely improves bronchial reactivity through both anti-inflammatory and anti-filarial mechanisms.