INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AND ATOPIC DISEASES IN CHILDREN: A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Parasitology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The relationship between helminthic parasites and allergic diseases is complex and may depend on exposure timing.
• Previous meta-analyses suggest parasite-specific effects on asthma, warranting further investigation into various intestinal parasites and allergy.
• Understanding these interactions is crucial for pediatric allergy management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the occurrence of allergy in children with different intestinal parasitic infections.
• To investigate the association between specific parasites, allergic symptoms, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.
• To explore potential parasite-specific effects on pediatric allergy.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 55 children (aged 2-13 years) at Al-Fayoum University Hospitals.
• Data collection included the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire and laboratory analyses (complete blood count, stool analysis, total serum IgE).
• Parasitological stool examination identified common intestinal parasites such as Entrobius vermicularis, Trichostrongylus species, Hymenolepis nana, Entameba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia.

Main Results:

• Among 55 children, 27 had allergies. Common parasites found were Entrobius vermicularis (15), Trichostrongylus species (9), Hymenolepis nana (8), Entameba histolytica (8), and Giardia lamblia (6).
• Higher eosinophilic counts were observed in children with enterobiasis compared to protozoa infections.
• Significantly elevated IgE levels were noted in mixed parasitic infections (P=0.006) and Entrobius vermicularis infections (P=0.04). A significant difference in IgE levels was also found between allergic and non-allergic groups (P=0.03).

Conclusions:

• While specific parasitic infections like Entrobius vermicularis and mixed infections were associated with elevated IgE levels, this study did not find a significant difference in allergy occurrence between children with different parasitic infections.
• The study suggests a complex interplay between parasites and the immune system, potentially influencing allergic responses, but a direct causal link for allergy prevalence was not established.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and clinical significance of parasite-specific effects on pediatric allergy development.