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Peripheral and nasal eosinophilia and serum total immunoglobulin E levels in children with ascariasis
M Yazicioğlu1, U Oneş, I Yalçin
1Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Capa-Istanbul.
Insights
Ascariasis infection in children significantly elevates peripheral eosinophilia and total serum IgE, mimicking atopic disease. Nasal eosinophil counts, however, do not differ, suggesting parasites can cause allergy-like symptoms without nasal inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Clinical Immunology
- Pediatric Allergy
Background:
- Ascariasis is a common helminthic infection, particularly in children.
- Allergic conditions often involve eosinophilia and elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE).
- The relationship between ascariasis, eosinophilia, and allergic symptoms requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peripheral and nasal eosinophil counts and serum total IgE levels in children with ascariasis.
- To compare these parameters between children infected with Ascaris lumbricoides and a control group.
- To explore the potential link between parasitic infection and allergic manifestations.
Main Methods:
- Study included 30 children (2-12 years) with Ascaris lumbricoides in fecal samples.
- A control group of 30 children (1.5-12 years) without Ascaris infection was included.
- Peripheral eosinophil counts, nasal eosinophil counts, and serum total IgE levels were measured and analyzed across age groups.
Main Results:
- Children with ascariasis showed significantly higher peripheral eosinophil counts and serum total IgE levels compared to controls.
- No significant difference was observed in nasal eosinophil counts between the infected and control groups.
- Elevated peripheral eosinophilia and total serum IgE in ascariasis patients persisted across all evaluated age ranges.
Conclusions:
- Ascariasis in children is associated with peripheral eosinophilia and elevated total serum IgE, similar to atopic diseases.
- Parasitic infections like ascariasis can induce allergy-like symptoms, such as nasal itching, independent of nasal eosinophilia.
- The lack of correlation between nasal itching and nasal eosinophilia in ascariasis is a key factor for differential diagnosis.
Abstract:
In order to evaluate peripheral and nasal eosinophilia and serum total IgE levels in ascariasis, 30 children between two and 12 years of age whose fecal samples were found to contain Ascaris lumbricoides, and 30 children between 1.5 and 12 years of age who did not have ascaris in their fecal samples, were enrolled in the study. Peripheral eosinophil counts and serum total IgE levels were significantly higher in the study group, but there was no significant difference between the nasal eosinophil counts of the two groups. Since total serum IgE levels differ according to age, the patients and the control groups were also evaluated within three age-groups. Peripheral eosinophil counts and serum total IgE levels of patients with ascariasis in all age ranges were significantly higher, but nasal eosinophil values did not differ significantly. These results show that in ascariasia the presence of peripheral eosinophilia and high total serum IgE levels are similar to those in atopic diseases, and some allergic symptoms such as nasal itching can be caused by parasites. However, nasal itching does not correlate with nasal eosinophilia in ascariasis. This is an important feature in the differential diagnosis.