Gonzalez-Quintela A, Gude F, Campos J, Garea M T, Romero P A, Rey J, Meijide L M, Fernandez-Merino M C, Vidal C
Department of Internal Medicine, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2006;139(4):317-24. doi: 10.1159/000091603. Epub 2006 Feb 23.
The relationship of helminth infection with atopy is controversial. Toxocariasis is the most common helminth infection in industrialized countries. The study aimed to investigate the association between Toxocara exposure and atopic features.
The study is based on a cross-sectional survey of 463 subjects, randomly selected (stratified by decades of age) from a general adult population. Toxocara exposure was defined by the presence of serum Toxocara antibodies. Main outcome measures included total serum IgE levels, skin prick tests (SPT) to a panel of 13 relevant aeroallergens, specific IgE to aeroallergens (Phadiatop test), and respiratory symptoms evaluated by means of a questionnaire.
A total of 134 subjects (weighted proportion 28.6%, 95% CI 26.5-30.7%) showed Toxocara exposure. Pet ownership, rural habitat, farming, and low educational level were associated with Toxocara exposure. Toxocara exposure was associated with both positive SPT (particularly to mites) and positive specific IgE (Phadiatop test) after adjusting for potential confounders. The effect of Toxocara exposure on total serum IgE levels and blood eosinophil count was different in SPT-positive subjects and SPT-negative individuals. In SPT-negative individuals, Toxocara exposure was associated with an increase in both serum IgE levels and eosinophil counts, whereas an opposite trend was observed in SPT-positive individuals. Toxocara exposure was not associated with respiratory symptoms.
In this adult population, Toxocara exposure is associated with allergic sensitization, particularly to mites. There is evidence of an intriguing interaction between Toxocara exposure and allergic sensitization for both total serum IgE levels and blood eosinophil counts.
蠕虫感染与特应性的关系存在争议。弓蛔虫病是工业化国家最常见的蠕虫感染。本研究旨在调查弓蛔虫暴露与特应性特征之间的关联。
本研究基于对463名受试者的横断面调查，这些受试者从一般成年人群中随机选取（按年龄 decade 分层）。弓蛔虫暴露通过血清弓蛔虫抗体的存在来定义。主要观察指标包括血清总IgE水平、对一组13种相关气传变应原的皮肤点刺试验（SPT）、对气传变应原的特异性IgE（Phadiatop试验）以及通过问卷评估的呼吸道症状。
共有134名受试者（加权比例28.6%，95%CI 26.5 - 30.7%）显示有弓蛔虫暴露。养宠物、农村居住、从事农业和低教育水平与弓蛔虫暴露相关。在调整潜在混杂因素后，弓蛔虫暴露与SPT阳性（特别是对螨虫）和特异性IgE阳性（Phadiatop试验）均相关。弓蛔虫暴露对血清总IgE水平和血液嗜酸性粒细胞计数的影响在SPT阳性受试者和SPT阴性个体中有所不同。在SPT阴性个体中，弓蛔虫暴露与血清IgE水平和嗜酸性粒细胞计数的增加相关，而在SPT阳性个体中观察到相反的趋势。弓蛔虫暴露与呼吸道症状无关。
在这一成年人群中，弓蛔虫暴露与过敏致敏相关，特别是对螨虫。有证据表明，在血清总IgE水平和血液嗜酸性粒细胞计数方面，弓蛔虫暴露与过敏致敏之间存在有趣的相互作用。
