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High allergic reactivity in a tropical environment.

N R Lynch, M C Di Prisco-Fuenmayor

Clinical Allergy

|May 1, 1984

Summary

Tropical children in Venezuela show surprisingly high rates of allergic reactions and skin-test reactivity. This challenges the notion that intestinal helminth infections protect against atopic disease, suggesting a complex immune interaction.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Tropical Medicine
Allergy Research

Background:

Atopic disease prevalence is often considered low in tropical regions.
Intestinal helminthiasis is hypothesized to modulate immune responses, reducing atopy.
Existing research suggests a protective effect of helminths against allergic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the prevalence of allergic disease and skin-test reactivity in tropical populations.
To compare allergic sensitization in children with and without significant tropical environmental exposure.
To explore the relationship between intestinal helminthiasis and allergic reactivity in a tropical setting.

Main Methods:

Cross-sectional study comparing children in Caracas, Venezuela, with a control group from a non-tropical environment.
Assessment of positive allergic history and skin-prick test reactivity to common environmental allergens.
Measurement of total serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.
Evaluation of intestinal helminth infection status.

Main Results:

Venezuelan children exhibited significantly higher rates of positive allergic history (43%) and skin-test reactivity (63%) compared to the non-tropical group (29% and 37%).
Venezuelan children had markedly elevated total serum IgE levels (369 vs 68 IU/ml).
Intestinal helminth infections were more prevalent in the Venezuelan group.

Conclusions:

The study challenges the hypothesis that helminthiasis confers protection against atopic disease in tropical populations.
High allergic reactivity in tropical children may be linked to increased IgE levels, potentially influenced by helminth infections.
Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between helminths, IgE, and allergic sensitization in diverse environments.

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