Helminths are positively associated with atopy and wheeze in Ugandan fishing communities: results from a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Parasitic helminths are potent immunomodulators and chronic infections may protect against allergy-related disease and atopy. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to test the hypothesis that in heavily helminth-exposed fishing villages on Lake Victoria, Uganda, helminth infections would be inversely associated with allergy-related conditions.

Methods

A household survey was conducted as baseline to an anthelminthic intervention trial. Outcomes were reported wheeze in last year, atopy assessed both by skin prick test (SPT) and by the measurement of allergen-specific IgE to dust mites and cockroach in plasma. Helminth infections were ascertained by stool, urine and haemoparasitology. Associations were examined using multivariable regression.

Results

Two thous

SUBMITTER: Webb EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4949563 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature