Buijs J, Borsboom G, Renting M, Hilgersom W J, van Wieringen J C, Jansen G, Neijens J
Laboratory for Parasitology and Mycology, National Institute of Public Health and Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Eur Respir J. 1997 Jul;10(7):1467-75. doi: 10.1183/09031936.97.10071467.
Toxocara (the cause of visceral larva migrans in humans) and allergy have in common both elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and eosinophilia. In the present study, we investigated: 1) associations between Toxocara seropositivity and allergic manifestations; 2) risk factors for Toxocara infection; and 3) differences in Toxocara seroprevalence, allergic manifestations and the associations between these two, in children from urban and rural environments. Blood samples from 1,379 Dutch urban and rural elementary schoolchildren, were examined for Toxocara antibodies, eosinophil numbers, total IgE concentrations, and the occurrence of inhaled allergen-specific IgE. Questionnaires investigating respiratory health and putative risk factors for infection were completed. It was found that 8% of the children had Toxocara antibodies, occurring significantly less often in females than in males. The means of total serum IgE levels and blood eosinophils were significantly higher in the Toxocara-seropositive than in the seronegative group. Allergic asthma/recurrent bronchitis was found in 7% of the children, allergic reaction on animal contact in 4%, and IgE to at least one inhaled allergen in 16%. These variables were associated with Toxocara seroprevalence. Inhaled allergen-specific IgE and asthma/recurrent bronchitis occurred significantly less often in rural than in urban areas, and significantly less often among girls than among boys. Furthermore, occurrence of allergen-specific IgE increased significantly with age. No association existed between Toxocara seroprevalence and assumed risks, i.e. contact with pet animals and public playgrounds. In conclusion, our results indicate that allergic manifestations occur more often in Toxocara-seropositive children. A relationship with an already existing allergic condition is plausible.
弓蛔虫（人类内脏幼虫移行症的病因）与过敏的共同之处在于免疫球蛋白E（IgE）水平升高和嗜酸性粒细胞增多。在本研究中，我们调查了：1）弓蛔虫血清阳性与过敏表现之间的关联；2）弓蛔虫感染的危险因素；3）城市和农村儿童在弓蛔虫血清阳性率、过敏表现以及二者之间关联方面的差异。对1379名荷兰城乡小学生的血液样本进行了检测，以确定弓蛔虫抗体、嗜酸性粒细胞数量、总IgE浓度以及吸入性变应原特异性IgE的存在情况。完成了关于呼吸健康和假定感染危险因素的问卷调查。结果发现，8%的儿童有弓蛔虫抗体，女性的发生率明显低于男性。弓蛔虫血清阳性组的总血清IgE水平和血液嗜酸性粒细胞的平均值显著高于血清阴性组。7%的儿童患有过敏性哮喘/复发性支气管炎，4%的儿童对动物接触有过敏反应，16%的儿童对至少一种吸入性变应原有IgE。这些变量与弓蛔虫血清阳性率相关。农村地区吸入性变应原特异性IgE和哮喘/复发性支气管炎的发生率明显低于城市地区，女孩的发生率明显低于男孩。此外，变应原特异性IgE的发生率随年龄显著增加。弓蛔虫血清阳性率与假定风险（即接触宠物和公共游乐场）之间没有关联。总之，我们的结果表明，过敏性表现在弓蛔虫血清阳性儿童中更为常见。与已有的过敏状况存在关联是合理的。
